New Delhi (NVI): The United Nations (UN) faces a “crisis of confidence” without comprehensive reforms, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said while addressing the high-level meeting of the General Assembly to commemorate UN’s 75th anniversary.
This year’s UN General Assembly is being held in a largely virtual format as world leaders did not travel to New York for the annual gathering due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In his speech to the special session Modi said that the world needs a reformed multilateralism that reflects current day realities, gives voice to all stakeholders, addresses contemporary challenges and focuses on human welfare.
‘The declaration acknowledges the need for reform in the United Nation itself. You cannot fight today’s challenges with outdated structures,” the Prime Minister said.
Speaking about organisations like the UN Security Council, he said the UN needs to adapt in order to address contemporary challenges which a structure set up in 1945 may not be able to do.
PM Modi while supporting the reforms undertaken by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, “We support ongoing reforms by the Secretary-General…We reiterate our call for reforms of three of the principal organs of the UN. We commit to instil new life in the discussions on the reform of the Security Council and continue the work to revitalise the General Assembly and strengthen the Economic and Social Council.”
Modi also highlighted that India’s own philosophies align with the goals of the United Nations. He said work still needs to be done towards reducing inequality, mitigating conflicts and addressing the threat of climate change.
He said as a founding signatory of the UN Charter, India was part of that noble vision, which reflected India’s own philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which sees all creation as a family.
“Our world today is a better place because of the United Nations,” the prime minister said.
He paid tribute to all those who have advanced the cause of peace and development under the UN flag, including in UN peacekeeping missions, where India had been a leading contributor.
Furthermore, he also mentioned that India has assigned over 2,00,000 troops in 50 of the 71 peacekeeping missions in the last 60 years.
To commemorate the 75 years of the UN, the 193-member UN General Assembly adopted a forward-looking political declaration that called for strengthening mechanism to combat terrorism, reformed multilateralism, inclusive development and better preparedness to deal with challenges like the covid-19 pandemic.
-CHK
