In his virtual keynote address to the United Nations Economic and Social Council session in New York, United States on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that multilateralism is facing many challenges today and India has contributed to ECOSOC agenda, and it is again playing a salient role. Addressing the UN-ECOSOC, PM Modi said that in the joint fight against COVID-19, India has extended medical and other assistance to over 150 countries. He added that India has always taken pride in being the first responder in the region “as a friend in need”. Be it in times of earthquakes or any natural or man-made crisis, India has responded with speed and solidarity, he avered.
“From the very beginning, India has actively supported the UN’s development work and the ECOSOC. The first president of ECOSOC was an Indian. India also contributed to shaping the ECOSOC agenda,” PM said in his keynote address. “Our motto is ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas, Sabka Vishwas’ – meaning ‘Together, for everyone’s growth, with everyone’s trust’. This resonates with the core SDG principle of leaving no one behind,” he added. PM Modi said the in the fight against COVID-19, India’s grass-roots health system is helping the country ensure one of the best recovery rates in the world.
In tune with the theme of multilateralism, PM Modi added that India firmly believes that the path to achieve sustainable peace and prosperity is through multilateralism. This was Prime Minister Modi’s first address to the broader UN membership since India’s election as a non-permanent member of the Security Council on June 17. In a tweet, the Prime Minister informed that he would be addressing the High-Level Segment of ECOSOC at 8:30 pm. He had said he would be speaking on various issues including this year’s theme of multilateralism after COVID-19.
Giving out details about the address, the Ministry of External Affairs had said that the Prime Minister will be speaking at the valedictory session along with the Prime Minister of Norway and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. The theme of this year’s Segment was “Multilateralism after COVID19: What kind of UN do we need at the 75th anniversary”.
The ministry said that the session will focus on forces shaping the course of multilateralism and finding ways to strengthen the global agenda through effective international institutions and strong leadership. The focus would be on broadening of participation and enhanced significance of global public goods. This was Prime Minister Modi’s second keynote address at the UN-ECOSOC. He had earlier delivered the keynote address virtually at the 70th anniversary of ECOSOC in January 2016
