The 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly commenced with the arrival of Heads of State and numerous global leaders at the UN headquarters in New York. India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, addressed the assembly during this high-level session. She emphasized India’s commitment to addressing crucial issues for Global South countries as the current President of the G20, following India’s successful hosting of the high-level G20 Summit in New Delhi.
Kamboj underscored India’s dedication to key concerns, including climate action, finance, and sustainable development goals, as part of its G20 leadership role. She also highlighted India’s role in facilitating the inclusion of the African Union in the Group of 20, recognizing the significance of global collaboration to address contemporary challenges.
Furthermore, Kamboj emphasized India’s stance on matters related to human rights and social issues, championing causes such as health, universal health coverage, women’s rights, constructive human rights dialogues, and intercultural dialogue for peace. She stressed the importance of global efforts against terrorism, particularly in addressing the misuse of technology by terrorists, and advocated for a comprehensive convention on international terrorism.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who had recently attended the G20 Summit in India, commended India’s G20 Presidency. He acknowledged India’s efforts to represent the voice of the Global South and place the development agenda at the forefront of G20 discussions during its leadership of the group. Guterres recognized India’s commitment to addressing the concerns of the Global South during its presidency.
