New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday pitched for United Nations reform in the contemporary world and said that India firmly believes that the path to achieve sustainable peace and prosperity is through multilateralism.
In his maiden address to the high-level segment of the United Nations' Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since India was elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in June this year, the prime minister said, “As children of planet Earth, we must join hands to address our common challenges and achieve our common goals. However, multilateralism needs to represent the reality of the contemporary world.”
He also stated that only reformed multilateralism with a reformed United Nations at its center can meet the aspirations of humanity.
This year we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. It is an occasion to recognise the UN's many contributions to human progress. It is also an opportunity to assess the UN's role and relevance in today's World: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 17, 2020
Further, he added that “While celebrating 75 years of the United Nations, let us pledge to reform the global multilateral system. To enhance its relevance, to improve its effectiveness, and to make it the basis of a new type of human-centric globalisation.”
On Covid-19 pandemic, he said that the United Nations was originally born from the furies of the Second World War. “Today, the fury of the pandemic provides the context for its rebirth and reform. Let us not lose this chance.”
PM Modi further said that India will play its role in full support in carrying forward the UN agenda.
“India has been elected to the United Nations Security Council at this very important time. With our deep commitment to maintaining global harmony, to improving socio-economic equity and to preserving nature's balance, India will play its role in full support of the UN agenda,” he said.
With our deep commitment to maintaining global harmony, to improving socio-economic equity, and to preserving nature's balance, India will play its role in full support of the UN agenda: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 17, 2020
PM Modi also reiterated India's active support to the UN's Development work and ECOSOC.
During his address, he said, “The first president of ECOSOC was an Indian. India also contributed to shaping the ECOSOC agenda.”
During his 14-minute address, the Prime Minister also said, “Be it earthquakes, cyclones, Ebola crisis or any other natural or man-made crisis, India has responded with speed and solidarity. In our joint fight against COVID, we have extended medical and other assistance to over 150 countries.”
He went on to mention India's initiative to set up the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilience Infrastructure.
