India last month was overwhelmingly elected as a non-permanent member of the powerful UN Security Council on Wednesday for a two-year term. India, the endorsed candidate from the Asia-Pacific States, won 184 votes out of the 192 ballots cast in the elections for the five non-permanent seats of the Security Council.
The theme of this year’s High-Level Segment is ‘Multilateralism after COVID19: What kind of UN do we need at the 75th anniversary’. Held on an annual basis, the High-level Segment represents the culmination of the ECOSOC’s annual cycle of work and convenes a diverse group of high-level representatives from Government, the private sector, civil society and academia.
“Against the backdrop of a changing international environment and the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic, the session will focus on critical forces shaping the course of multilateralism and explore ways to bolster the multilateral agenda through strong multilateral leadership, effective international institutions, a broadening of participation and an enhanced focus on global public goods”, the Permanent Mission of India to the UN said in a statement.
This year’s theme also resonates with India’s priority for its Security Council tenure in which New Delhi has called for reformed multilateralism in a post-COVID-19 world.
COVID-19 pandemic has severely tested the resilience of all nations. In India, we have tried to make the fight against the pandemic a people's movement, by combining the efforts of Government and civil society: PM Modi
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 Modi
"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 said, adding "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 Modi is delivering the keynote address at the High-Level Segment of the ECOSOC. In his first address since India was elected as non-permanent menber of the Security Council, PM recognised the country's role in global stage.
"India is home to one-sixth of humanity. We are mindful of our weight and responsibility. We know that if India succeeds in achieving its development objectives, it will go a long way in achievement of global goals," he said.
In his address to the United Nations, PM Modi recalled India's contributions in the ECOSOC: "India was among the 50 founding members of the United Nations immediately after the Second World War. A lot has changed since then," he said, adding "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 Modi in his virtual address to the UN: "Today, the United Nations brings together 193 member countries. Along with its membership, the expectations from the organisation have also grown"
In our joint fight against COVID-19, we have extended medical and other assistance to over 150 countries: Prime Minister Narendra Modi at High-Level Segment of the United Nations Economic and Social Council Session, 2020, via video conference
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on 8.30 address the United Nations at the High-Level Segment of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), his first since India was overwhelmingly elected as a non-permanent member of the powerful Security Council last month.