United Nations General Assembly
President Dennis Francis has congratulated Bharat and the United Nations Office
for South-South Cooperation for six years of collaborative partnership.
He noted that the Bharat-UN Development
Partnership Fund has supported 76 projects in 54 nations across the Global
South and stressed that “this is no small feat.”
Taking to X, Francis stated, “The
India-UN Development Partnership Fund has supported 76 projects in 54 countries
across the Global South. This is no small feat, especially in this age of
shrunken fiscal spaces compounded by the impacts of the pandemic and other
global shocks. Congratulations to India and @UNOSSC for six productive years of
this collaborative partnership – fostering inclusivity and advancing the
principle of leaving no one behind.”
In his remarks at the India-UN
Development Partnership Fund – Six Years of Collaborative Partnership event,
Dennis Francis stated, “I welcome the theme of empowering vulnerable communities
and congratulate both India and the UN Office for South-South Cooperation, for
the six productive years of collaborative partnership – important work geared
towards fostering meaningful inclusivity and, of course, advancing the
principle of leaving no one behind.”
He stated the beneficiaries of the
Partnership Fund cut across the membership of Global South of which he stressed
Bharat remains a dynamic part and supports all geographic regions.
Dennis thanked Bharat’s Permanent
Representative to the UN Ruchira Kamboj and her team at the Permanent Mission
of India and partners for hosting the event.
The fact that the beneficiaries of the
Partnership Fund cut across the membership of the Global South – of which India
remains integrally a dynamic part – and supports all geographic regions, while maintaining
a strong emphasis on SIDS and LDCs speaks volumes about its vision of
development and indeed, its ability to channel funds where they are needed
most.
“It is well targeted initiative of
endurance – and agility – that I wholeheartedly endorse,” said Francis.
Francis stated that he is pleased that
the Caribbean Community, CARICOM is a major constituency of the Fund’s
attention, where it supports innovative, Southern-owned and led, demand-driven
sustainable development projects.
Praising Bharat for its leadership in
addressing global challenges, he said the nation being a strong voice in multilateral
affairs is well-known.
He hailed Bharat’s G20 Presidency for
the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member in the G20.
“We are all accustomed to the fact that
keeping an eye on the horizon is nothing new for India. Its exemplary leadership
in addressing global challenges and being a strong voice in multilateral
affairs is well-known – and has been for many on full display, particularly in
recent years including during the pandemic,” he stated.
He stated that India plays an “unparalleled
role “ in the global mission, including here at the UN to create a “more just
and equitable world.” He further said, “Its long legacy includes, among others,
the championing of democracy, promotion of women-led development and its
pioneering role leading to the adoption of the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs.”
Speaking about future actions, he said, “As
we traverse and navigate multiple overlapping crises, we must remain steadfast
in our resolve to galvanize momentum and move the 2030 Agenda forward. We must
innovate and shape new economic modes that both incentivise and reap the full
benefits of our collective development efforts.”
ANI
