PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the “success of humanity lies in our collective strength, not on the battlefield” as he addressed the UN’s Summit of the Future held against the backdrop of raging global conflicts. Underlining that reform is the key to relevance, Modi emphasised that for global peace and development, reforms in global institutions are essential. He noted that the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 under India’s presidency of the grouping at the New Delhi Summit last year “was an important step in this direction.” Addressing world leaders from the iconic podium of the UN General Assembly hall, Modi, beginning his speech with a “Namaskar”, said that he brings the voice of 1.4 billion Indians or one-sixth of humanity to the UN. A day after world leaders adopted by consensus the Pact of the Future along with the annexes the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations on the opening day of the Summit of the Future, Modi told the UN that “when we are discussing Global Future, we must accord the highest priority to a human-centric approach.” In his 5-minute address, Modi underscored that the “success of humanity lies in our collective strength, not on the battlefield.”

 

The Summit of the Future followed by the annual General Assembly high-level week comes in the midst of the IsraelHamas conflict and the Ukraine war as well as challenges of climate change, inequality and deep geopolitical divides. The Pact’s five broad focus areas include sustainable development; international peace and security; science and technology; youth and future generations and transforming global governance. It lays the groundwork for actions and commitment by member States towards a safer, more peaceful, sustainable and inclusive world for tomorrow’s generations. With the UN turning 80 next year, the Pact underscores the need for reform of global institutions,apath forward for action on Sustainable Development Goals,climateactionandthe use of artificial intelligence among other areas.

 

It, however, does not contain timelines for actions required to achieve these goals . Indiahasbeenatthe forefront of years-long efforts to reform the 15-nation Security Council, saying the powerful UN body does not reflect current geopolitics realities and underscoring thatitrightlydeserves apermanent seat at the horseshoe table. India last sat at the UN high table as a nonpermanentmemberin2021- 22. Modi also gave a call for global actiontomatchglobalambitionastheworldcontinues to grapple with the threat ofterrorism as well as newer challenges . “While on the one hand, terrorism continues to be a seriousthreattoglobalpeace and security, on the other hand, areas such as cyber, maritime and space, are emerging as new theatres of conflict,” he said. “On all these issues,Iwill stress, that, global action must match global ambition!” he said.

 

HighlightingthatIndiahas lifted250millionpeople out of poverty in India and demonstrated that Sustainable Development can be successful, Modi voiced India’s commitment toshare its experienceswith the Global South. “When we are discussing the Global Future, we must accordthehighestpriorityto ahuman-centricapproach, ” he said, adding that while prioritising sustainable development,“we must als o ensure human welfare, food and health security. The Indian leader also emphasisedtheneedforbalanced regulation at a global level,forthesafeandresponsible use of technology. “We need global digital governance, which ensures thatnationalsovereigntyand integrityareupheld,”hesaid, adding that “Digital Public Infrastructure should be a Bridge, not a Barrier!” UN officials and world leaders have consistently lauded India’s digitalisation drive which has helped alleviate poverty and bring millions of people into the formal economic system through the use of a handsetanda digitalisationmodel. They said that India is readytoshareitsdigitalpublic infrastructure with the entire world “for Global Good. ” He added that for India, “OneEarth,OneFamily,On e Future” is a commitment.

 

“This commitment is also reflected in our initiatives such as “One Earth, On e Health”, and “One Sun, On e World, One Grid” Heassuredtheworldcommunity that India will continue to work in thought, words and deeds to protect the rights of all humanit y and for global prosperity. In his opening remarks to the summit, UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres said conflicts are raging and multiplying,fromtheMiddl e East to Ukraine and Sudan, with “no end in sight” and he called for the summit because “our world is headingofftherails–andweneed tough decisions to get back on track.” “Our collectiv e securitysystemisthreatened by geopolitical divides , nuclear posturing, and the development of new weaponsandtheatresofwar . Resources that could bring opportunities and hope ar e invested in death and destruction,” he said.