The United Nations must respond to modern realities and make decisions on key issues with the participation of the whole world. This was stated by Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, speaking at the general political discussion at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.
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“The UN began with 51 members, now we are 193. The world has changed profoundly and consists of both problems and opportunities. To resolve these issues and, in fact, to strengthen the order itself, it is important that the UN is a central platform for finding common ground. It certainly cannot remain anachronistic. Large parts of the world cannot be left behind when it comes to addressing the key issues of our time. An effective and efficient UN that is more representative and fit for purpose in the modern era is essential,” he said.
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According to Jaishankar, the current UNGA is taking place “at a difficult time.” Among the most important difficulties, he named the consequences of the pandemic, conflicts in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, unfair trade practices, and increasing debt levels.
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“Technological advances, which have long been a source of hope, are now equally a source of concern. Climate events are occurring with greater intensity and frequency. Food security is as much of a concern as health care,” the minister said.
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According to Jaishankar, “the world is fragmented, polarized and disillusioned.”
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“Peace and prosperity are equally at risk because trust has been undermined and processes have collapsed. Countries have extracted more from the international system than they put into it, weakening it in the process. We see clearly that in every challenge and every crisis, reforming multilateralism is imperative,” he said.
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According to the head of the Indian Foreign Ministry, “the problems arise from a combination of structural deficiencies, political calculations, naked selfishness and disregard for those left behind.”
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“UN members must now take this task seriously and purposefully, not because this is a struggle for influence or positions, but because if we continue in the same spirit, the situation in the world will only worsen,” he stated
