The India, Israel, UAE, US (I2U2) Forum is considering the possibility of building a series of integrated agricultural facilities across India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Wednesday.
I2U2 Business Forum
Public and private delegations from the four countries met in Abu Dhabi to discuss further expanding the forum, which was launched in July 2022. It was also the first event of the I2U2 since its establishment.
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Apart from building agricultural facilities, delegates discussed the possibility of establishing a 300 MW wind and solar hybrid power plant in Gujarat. The forum also agreed to establish an ‘I2U2 Innovation Centre’ in Gurugram.
MEA Secretary (Economic Relations) Dammu Ravi, who led the Indian delegation, reiterated India’s commitment to the I2U2, and called on all stakeholders to work towards “tangible progress” across all forum-level initiatives.
“[Ravi] urged I2U2 partners to work towards a sustainable and environment-friendly lifestyle for all,” the MEA noted.
India Joins AIM4C
The forum held a signing ceremony welcoming India as the latest country to join the Agricultural Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM4C), launched by the US and UAE at COP 26 UN climate conference in Glasgow in 2021. The mission includes 275 government and non-government entities.
Happening today in Abu Dhabi:
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The #I2U2 forum including Israel, India, the UAE and the United States which aims to deepen economic cooperation between 🇮🇱🇮🇳🇦🇪🇺🇸 .
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The US State Department said India’s entry would “advance AIM4C’s mission by supporting investment in climate-smart agriculture and food systems innovation.”
I2U2 Objectives
The I2U2 partnership aims to drive economic cooperation between all four members across a range of sectors, including food security, water, energy, space, transportation, health, and technology.
“It aims to mobilise private sector capital and expertise to help modernise infrastructure, decarbonise industries, improve public heath, and promote development of green technologies,” the MEA noted.