We have make the fight against the pandemic a people’s movement : Modi
NEW DELHI : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday addressed the United Nations at the high-level segment of its Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This is his first since India was elected as a non-permanent member of the powerful Security Council in June. PM Modi was speaking in a virtual keynote address to ECOSOC session.
In his speech, the PM said that India has always stood by the United Nations. India is working towards achieving its 2030 agenda. India is also helping other countries to achieve their goals. He said, “In our joint fight against COVID, we have extended help to over 150 countries.”
PM added, “In fight against COVID, our grass-roots health system is helping India ensure one of the best recovery rates in the world.” we have tried to make the fight against the pandemic a people’s movement
PM asserted that India firmly believes the path to achieving sustainable peace and prosperity is through multilateralism. Addressing the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) session of the United Nation (UN), PM Modi said that multilateralism needs to represent the reality of the contemporary world.
This was the first address by PM to the broader UN membership since India’s overwhelming 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 is “Multilateralism after COVID19: What kind of UN do we need at the 75th anniversary”.
He pointed out that India’s success in improving the socio-economic indicators of its vast population has a significant impact on global SDG targets. He spoke about India’s commitment to also support other developing countries in meeting their SDG targets.
He said that India’s ongoing development efforts, including for improving access to sanitation through the “Swacch Bharat Abhiyan”, empowering women, ensuring financial inclusion, and expanding the availability of housing and healthcare through flagship schemes such as the “Housing for All” programme and the “Ayushman Bharat” scheme.
This was the second time that Prime Minister addressed the ECOSOC. He had earlier delivered the keynote address at the 70thanniversary of the ECOSOC in January 2016.
Mr Modi also highlighted India’s focus on environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation and recalled India’s leading role in the establishment of the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
Speaking about India’s role in its region as a first responder, Mr Modi 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.
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 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.
(With Agency Inputs ).
