By R Anil Kumar
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again calls for reform of UN, says mid-20th century approach cannot serve the world in the 21st century
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International institutions need to recognise changing realities, expand their decision-making forums, relook at their priorities and ensure representation of voices that matter: PM Narendra Modi
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposes human-centric Global Development Compact to boost growth in Global South
New Delhi, August 19. A mid-20th century approach cannot serve the world in the 21st century, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, while strongly calling for reform of the United Nations in line with the changing realities of the world and to ensure representation of voices that matter.
At the 3rd Global South summit here, the participating countries had a unanimous view that reforms at the United Nations had been delayed and sought an early decision on it, said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
Referring to the UN General Assembly next month in New York, he said, “As we go to New York, we feel much more confident. It’s more like a solidarity of countries (of Global South) with similar thoughts.”
Jaishankar was speaking to the media after the conclusion of the summit hosted virtually by India. In all, 123 countries participated. India has been consistently pressing for reforms of multilateral institutions, including the UN, arguing that they must reflect the realities of the current world.
“Some countries had an opinion on who should be a permanent member (of the UN Security Council),” the EAM said. On being asked if the Global South discussed any proposal on UN reforms, Jaishankar said for this, there would be a separate exercise for “summit of the future” scheduled at the UN. “Today’s meet was meant to find a common position and create a sense of togetherness,” he said. Many specific ideas had been given, he said, adding, “We will not get the unity of all 190 countries, but these countries would be allowed to vote for their future.”
Earlier, PM Narendra Modi, in his address, said, “When India assumed the G20 Presidency in 2022, it resolved to give a new character to the group. The biggest example was when the African Union (AU) was made a permanent member of the G20.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed human-centric Global Development Compact to boost growth in Global South
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on the nations of the Global South to stand united in one voice to become each other’s strength. In his opening remarks on the 3rd Voice of the Global South virtual Summit today, Prime Minister expressed concern about the current global atmosphere of uncertainty and challenges.
He highlighted that while the world has not yet fully recovered from the effects of COVID-19, the state of conflict has also posed significant challenges to Global South Nation’s development journey.
PM Modi emphasized that these countries are facing challenges from climate change, as well as concerns about health security, food security, and energy security.
The Prime Minister also noted that terrorism, extremism, and separatism continue to pose serious threats to societies. He said that the technology divide and new economic and social challenges related to technology are also emerging.
Prime Minister assured that India is committed to sharing its experiences and capabilities with all countries of the Global South. He highlighted New Delhi’s commitment to promoting trade, inclusive development, progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and women-led development.
He said that in recent years, Global South cooperation has been boosted through infrastructure, digital, and energy connectivity.
PM Modi highlighted that under Mission LiFE, New Delhi is prioritizing rooftop solar and renewable power generation not only in India but also in partner countries. He pointed out that India has also initiated efforts to connect various countries of the Global South through Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
The Prime Minister said that there has been significant progress in partnership with Global South nations in the areas of education, capacity building, and skilling.
He highlighted the launch of Global South Young Diplomat Forum stating that the ‘South’ or Global South Excellence Centre is working on capacity building, skilling, and knowledge sharing.
Lauding the role of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in driving inclusive growth, the Prime Minister noted that the establishment of the Global DPI Depository during India’s G20 Presidency marked first multilateral consensus on DPI.
He also said that India has established a Social Impact Fund to accelerate progress in DPI in the Global South. He added that India will make an initial contribution of 25 million dollars to this fund.
PM Modi highlighted that for health security, India’s mission is – One World-One Health and vision is – “Arogya Maitri”. He said that New Delhi upheld this friendship by collaborating on hospitals, dialysis machines, life-saving medicines, and Jan Aushadhi Centers in Africa and Pacific Island countries.
Prime Minister also highlighted that in times of humanitarian crises, India has acted as a first responder, assisting friendly nations.
Later in his closing remarks, PM Modi said that today’s discussion has paved the way to move forward together. He expressed confidence this discussion will boost the efforts to achieve goals set up by Global South nations. The Prime Minister also proposed a comprehensive Global development compact on behalf of India.
He said that the foundation of this compact will be based on India’s development journey and experience of development partnership.
PM Modi said that to strengthen trade promotion activities, India will provide a 2.5 million dollars fund. He added that for capacity building in trade policy and trade negotiations, training will be provided for which India will contribute with a fund of 1 million dollars.
The Global South summit acts as a platform to expand discussions held in the previous Summits on a range of complex challenges that continue to affect the world, such as conflicts, food and energy security crises and climate change.
At the Summit, the countries of the Global South would continue deliberations on challenges, priorities, and solutions for the Global South, particularly in the developmental domain. The theme of the Summit is – An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future.
