KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (NNN) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon the international community to reform multilateral institutions like the United Nations to make it more representative of the current world order.
“Today the fury of the pandemic (COVID-19) provides the context for its (UN’s) rebirth and reform. Let us not lose this chance,” he was quoted saying at the recently held United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) virtual meeting.
His keynote address at the virtual event was highlighted in the weekly newsletter published by the Prime Minister’s Office in New Delhi.
It was his first address to the broader UN membership since India’s election as a non-permanent member of the Security Council on 17th June, for the term 2021-22.
The theme of the High-Level Segment of the ECOSOC this year was “Multilateralism after COVID19: What kind of UN do we need at the 75th anniversary”.
Coinciding with the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the UN, this theme also resonates with India’s priority for its forthcoming membership of the UN Security Council. Prime Minister reiterated India’s call for a ‘reformed multilateralism’ in a post-COVID-19 world, which reflects the realities of the contemporary world.
In his address, PM recalled India’s long association with the ECOSOC and the UN’s developmental work, including for the Sustainable Development Goals. He noted that India’s developmental motto of ‘SabkaSaath, SabkaVikaas, Sabka Vishwas’ resonates with the core SDG principle of leaving no one behind.
Modi also pointed out that India’s success in improving the socio-economic indicators of its vast population had a significant impact on global SDG targets. He spoke about India’s commitment to also support other developing countries in meeting their SDG targets.
Among others, he spoke about India’s ongoing development efforts, including for improving access to sanitation, empowering women, ensuring financial inclusion, and expanding availability of housing and healthcare for all, its focus on environmental sustainability and bio-diversity conservation.
He also recalled the support provided by the Indian government and Indian pharma companies for ensuring medicine supplies to different countries, and for coordinating a joint response strategy among SAARC countries.
