Shawdesh desk:

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a reformed multilateralism with a reformed United Nations at its centre.

During his speech, he said that the reformed multilateralism in a post-COVID-19 world should reflect the realities of the contemporary world, according to a press release issued by Indian High Commission in Dhaka on Saturday.

Modi was delivering a virtual keynote address at this year’s High-Level Segment of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) session on Friday night.

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”.

This was the first address by Modi 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.

He said, 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 to make it the basis for a new type of human-centric globalisation.

In his address, Modi 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.

He pointed out that India’s success in improving the socio-economic indicators of its vast populationhas a significant impact on global SDG targets. He spoke about India’s commitment to also support other developing countries in meeting their SDG targets.

The Indian premier spoke about India’s ongoing development efforts, including for improving access to sanitation through the “Swacch Bharat Abhiyan”, empowering women, ensuring financial inclusion, and expanding availability of housing and healthcare through flagship schemes such as the “Housing for All” programme and the “Ayushman Bharat” scheme.

He also highlighted India’s focus on environmental sustainability and bio-diversity 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, Prime Minister 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.

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.