New Delhi: Asserting that globalisation should not create a climate crisis or debt burden, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated that major international organisations needed “fundamental” reforms to give space to the developing world.
During the concluding session of the two-day virtual “Voice of the Global South” summit, Modi said that while the developing countries appreciated the principles of globalisation, it should “not create Climate Crisis or Debt Crisis”.
“We want a globalisation that does not lead to unequal distribution of vaccines or over-concentrated global supply chains,” he noted.
In other remarks, Modi said that the developing countries were “united in believing that the developed world has not fulfilled their obligations on Climate Finance and Technology”.
“We also agree that apart from controlling emissions in production, it is equally important to move away from ‘use and throw’ consumption, towards more environment friendly sustainable lifestyles,” he added.
The Prime Minister noted that the developing countries were also “concerned about the increasing fragmentation of the international landscape”. The polarising tensions across the world have led to sharp swings in the prices of food, fuel, fertilisers and other commodities.
“To address this geopolitical fragmentation, we urgently need a fundamental reform of the major international organisations, including the United Nations Security Council and the Bretton Woods institutions. These reforms should focus on giving voice to the concerns of the developing world, and reflect the realities of the 21st Century,” said Modi, repeating India’s long-standing championing of reforms for the United Nations.
“India’s G20 Presidency will attempt to voice the views of the Global South on these important issues.”
He also made a number of announcements for scholarships for the countries in developing countries, an “Arogya Maitri” initiative for the supply of essential medicines to disaster-hit countries, a forum for young diplomats and a “Global-South Center of Excellence”.
In a post-summit media briefing late Friday night, foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said that over 120 countries had participated in the eight sessions virtually over the two days.
He also reiterated that the new initiative does “not dilute” India’s engagement with the other associations for developing countries like the Non-Aligned Movement and the G-77.
However, Kwatra also claimed that the new initiative was “most appropriate” in the current climate.
“…we firmly believe that this initiative anchored by India under the leadership of PM Modi will be the most appropriate forum for our objective, which is a common platform for the developing world… Given the current global context, it is important to shape a platform to capture the voice of the global south…,” added the foreign secretary.