A strong partnership between India and Australia will play an important role in shaping the post-COVID-19 world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday.
Speaking at the India-Australia Circular Economy Hackathon (I-ACE), the Prime Minister added that there was a need to look at our consumption patterns and how their ecological impact could be reduced. “This is where the concept of a circular economy comes in. It can be a key step in solving many of our challenges,” he said.
Consumption-oriented economic models have put a great strain on our planet, Mr. Modi said, adding, “We must never forget that we are not the owners of all that Mother Earth has to offer but merely its trustees for all the future generations to come. It is not enough to make our production processes more efficient and less polluting. No matter how fast or slow one drives, if the direction is wrong, then one is bound to reach the wrong destination”.
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The Prime Minister said that recycling and reusing things, eliminating waste and improving resource efficiency must become part of everyone’s lifestyle.
“This hackathon has seen innovative solutions from Indian and Australian students, start-ups and entrepreneurs...I have no doubt that your innovations will inspire our two countries to take the lead in circular economy solutions. For that, we must now also explore ways to scale up and incubate these ideas,” he added.
Mr. Modi said that the power of youth came from openness to new ideas and innovations and the ability to take risks and that he had full confidence in the energy, creativity and out-of-box thinking of youth.
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“The energy and enthusiasm of today’s youthful participants is a symbol of the forward-looking partnership between India and Australia...They can offer sustainable, holistic solutions to not just our two countries but to the whole world,” he said.
“The strong India-Australia partnership will play an important role in shaping the post-COVID world. And our youth, our young innovators, our start-ups, will be at the forefront of this partnership,” he added.