New York: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the "Summit of the Future" at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Monday. Speaking at the 79th UN General Assembly session, PM Modi said, "Success of humanity lies in our collective strength, not in the battlefield. For global peace and development, reforms in global institutions are important. Reform is the key to relevance."
In his five-minute speech at the UN, he urged countries to prioritise "humanity" and adopt a human-centric approach to ensure sustainable development.
"Today, I am here to bring here the voice of the one-sixth of the humanity... We have elevated 250 million people out of poverty in India and we have shown that sustainable development can be successful. We are ready to share this experience of success with Global South," he added.
"Terrorism remains a serious threat to global peace; areas such as cyber, maritime & space are emerging as new theatres of conflict," he noted.
The Summit of the Future followed by the annual General Assembly high-level week comes in the midst of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the Ukraine war as well as challenges of climate change, inequality and deep geopolitical divides. The Pact's five broad focus areas include sustainable development; international peace and security; science and technology; youth and future generations and transforming global governance. It lays the groundwork for actions and commitment by member states towards a safer, more peaceful, sustainable and inclusive world for tomorrow's generations.
With the UN turning 80 next year, the Pact underscores the need for reform of global institutions, a path forward for action on Sustainable Development Goals, climate action and the use of artificial intelligence among other areas. It, however, does not contain timelines for actions required to achieve these goals.
Digital infrastructure must be used as "bridge" and not as a "barrier": PM Modi at UN
Speaking at the 79th UN General Assembly session, PM Modi stressed over the sensible use of technology and appealed for a balanced regulation. Without naming any country, he said India sought such global digital governance wherein sovereignty and integrity remain unharmed. The Indian leader said Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) must be utilised as a "bridge" and not as a "barrier" and professed New Delhi's readiness to share its strategy in order to make online platforms more accessible.
"For safe and responsible use of technology, balance regulation is needed. We want such global digital governance in which sovereignty and integrity remain intact. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) should be a bridge and not a barrier. For global good, India is ready to share its DPI. For India, One Earth One Family One Future is a commitment," said PM Modi
He noted that the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 under India’s presidency of the grouping at the New Delhi Summit last year “was an important step in this direction.”
India has been at the forefront of years-long efforts to reform the 15-nation Security Council, saying the powerful UN body does not reflect current geopolitics realities and underscoring that it rightly deserves a permanent seat at the horse-shoe table. India last sat at the UN high table as a non-permanent member in 2021-22
India is ready to share its experience: PM Modi at UN
The Prime Minister highlighted how India has progressed tremendously while maintaining sustainable development. "Today, I am here to bring here the voice of the one-sixth of the humanity... We have elevated 250 million people out of poverty in India and we have shown that sustainable development can be successful. We are ready to share this experience of success with Global South," he said.
He assured the world community that India will continue to work in thought, words and deeds to protect the rights of all humanity and for global prosperity.
In his opening remarks to the summit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said conflicts are raging and multiplying, from the Middle East to Ukraine and Sudan, with “no end in sight” and he called for the summit because “our world is heading off the rails – and we need tough decisions to get back on track.”
"Our collective security system is threatened by geopolitical divides, nuclear posturing, and the development of new weapons and theatres of war. Resources that could bring opportunities and hope are invested in death and destruction," he said.
He further stressed that he had called for this meeting of world leaders to consider deep reforms to make global institutions more legitimate, fair and effective, based on the values of the UN Charter.
"I called for this Summit because 21st century challenges require 21st century solutions: frameworks that are networked and inclusive; and that draw on the expertise of all of humanity," he said.
Several bilateral meetings in the pipeline
After concluding his speech at the UN, PM Modi will also hold bilateral meetings with several world leaders and discuss issues of mutual interest, on the sidelines of the Summit.
Earlier on Thursday, during a special press briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said "India is expected to pitch for "inclusive and equitable sustainable development" during the prime minister's participation in the "Summit of the Future" at the UN General Assembly.
Referring to India hosting the third Voice of Global South Summit virtually on August 17, the foreign secretary indicated that many of the concerns raised during the deliberations would find a voice at the UN summit. "I would imagine that many of the concerns raised at the summit will also find a voice at the Summit of the Future," he said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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