Dennis Francis, president of the UN General Assembly, said addressing the current global challenges requires creativity and consensus-building to fashion effective solutions…reports Asian Lite News
Leaders of developing countries gathered in the Ugandan capital of Kampala over the past week, reaching a consensus to promote South-South cooperation to enhance their capability of pursuing sustainable development, seek strength from unity and increase the role of the Global South in international affairs.
High-level representatives of more than 100 countries and heads of United Nations agencies attended the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) that concluded on Saturday and the 3rd South Summit of the Group of 77 (G77) that wrapped up on Monday.
Participants said they are optimistic about the future of the Global South in world affairs, gearing up to influence the outcomes of the UN Summit of the Future scheduled for September in New York. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the September summit as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvigorate global action, recommit to fundamental principles, and further develop the frameworks of multilateralism so they are fit for the future.
In the outcome documents of the two summits, the countries of the Global South said they hope to play an influential role in shifting the balance of the geopolitical landscape from conflict, confrontation and mistrust to diplomacy, dialogue, peace and understanding.
NAM countries, in their declaration over the weekend, said they would positively contribute to the summit to enhance cooperation on critical challenges and address gaps in global governance.
Developing nations stressed that there is a need to reform the multilateral global governance architecture, including the United Nations and the international financial system. This reform would make the institutions fit for purpose, democratic, equitable, representative and responsive to the current global realities and the needs and aspirations of the Global South, according to the NAM Kampala Declaration.
They said the current violation of international laws and UN resolutions on the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, coupled with the unfair treatment of developing countries facing debt distress amid a slow-growing global economy, are the key issues that have revitalized the call for a reformed global system.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who is also the chairperson of the NAM Summit, said the forum should be used to exercise considerable influence, particularly at the UN, for an effective transformative process. “In the negotiations for the Pact of the Future, the outcome document of the upcoming UN Summit of the Future, we should clearly define priorities that favor developing countries by maintaining unity, solidarity, and collective coordination among member states,” Museveni said.
Dennis Francis, president of the UN General Assembly, said addressing the current global challenges requires creativity and consensus-building to fashion effective solutions.
Francis said the current crises, ranging from the Ukraine-Russia, Israel-Palestine and those in Africa, raise questions about the relevance and value of the UN in terms of its ability to resolve global issues. He argued that the Summit of the Future will offer a historic opportunity to forge a new global consensus to transform the multilateral system to deliver better impact for people.
The Global South, according to Secretary-General Guterres, bears the responsibility of changing the form of the global system, noting that those who currently benefit from it are unlikely to lead its reform.
“We have a chance to cultivate a just, peaceful, and prosperous future, where no one is left behind. But for that, a lot needs to be changed and reformed. Together, let’s unite and fight to make that a reality,” Guterres told the 3rd South Summit on Sunday.
He urged the international community to reform and revitalize multilateralism so that it works for everyone, everywhere, and meets the challenges of today. “We rely on the G77 plus China to make the Summit of the Future a success. To seize this opportunity and to find common solutions. The summit will consider deep reforms of the international financial architecture,” the UN top envoy said.
The Union minister met Viscount Camrose, UK’s Minister of AI and Intellectual Property and Hiroshi Yoshida, Japan’s Vice Minister of Policy Coordination, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications…reports Asian Lite News
Union Minister of State for Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Thursday stressed the need for the inclusion of countries in the Global South as the world shapes the future of Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies.
Nations that are regarded as having a relatively low level of economic and industrial development are referred to as the Global South.
“Yesterday, it was decided by all the countries that the future of AI should be inclusive, it should not be left to one or two countries alone…We must include countries of the Global South as we shape the future of AI,” Rajeev Chandrasekhar told reporters.
“As you can see today in the expo, there are hundreds of startups from India that are already signalling to the world how mature the Indian AI ecosystem is…India will play an important role in shaping the governance and innovation of AI,” he added.
The minister asserted that most countries are now coming out and saying what India has always been saying on regulating Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies.
India’s stance has been that the internet and every other emerging technology should be deployed in a “safe and trusted” manner.
The Union minister met Viscount Camrose, UK’s Minister of AI and Intellectual Property and Hiroshi Yoshida, Japan’s Vice Minister of Policy Coordination, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
After the meeting, Minister Rajeev said they spoke about what governments are looking, how governments of like-minded countries are looking at regulating AI, what are the issues of safety and trust that governments are looking at, and what are the governments’ role in enabling the growth of AI.
“So think it was a very interesting conversation. And what India has been saying, for now, several months and years about making sure that the Internet and indeed every emerging technology is deployed in a safe and trusted manner is a thought that most countries are now coming around to and agreeing with,” Rajeev Chandrasekhar told reporters yesterday.
Meanwhile, three-day Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence summit concluded here in the national capital, where influential minds from various sectors have gathered to discuss and collaborate the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI). (ANI)
CJI said several nations in the Global South, including India, have historically been at the receiving end of imperialism or colonial rule…reports Asian Lite News
Countries in the Global South have been grouped together not only in terms of their economic status but also based on their legal response to their colonial past, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said on Monday and noted that the discourse about human rights and access to justice has been historically monopolized by voices from the Global North, which often makes such dialogue unsuitable for application in other contexts.
Speaking at First Regional Conference on ‘Access to Legal Aid: Strengthening Access to Justice in the Global South,’ Justice DY Chandrachud referred to the economic rise of BRICS economies and said there has been a universal “shift in wealth” from the metaphorical ‘North Atlantic’ to ‘Asia Pacific’.
He said several nations in the Global South, including India, have historically been at the receiving end of imperialism or colonial rule.
“This history resulted in a relationship of unequal power, with such nations being forced into the periphery of the world economy. It is for this reason that before academics used the term ‘Global South’, terms such as ‘developing/underdeveloped’ and ‘third world’ had gained wide currency,” he said.
“By 2030, it is projected that three of the four largest economies will be from the Global South. The GDP in terms of purchasing power of the Global South-dominated BRICS nations surpasses that of the so-called Global North’s G7 club. The reason behind this is that the Global South’s willingness to recognize their unique needs and collaborate with each other and this conference serves as a starting point for our nations to expand beyond mere economic and trade alliances and make cooperation between our legal systems a key priority,” he added.
The CJI said “discourse about human rights and access to justice has been historically monopolized by voices from the Global North”, which often makes such dialogue unsuitable for application in other contexts.
“I am certain that this conference will serve as a meaningful point of departure for engagement between India and the sixty-nine other participating countries, with whom we share a close bond and said that the ‘Global South’ become important points of collaboration. The term is not geographical, but rather it reflects political, geopolitical and economic commonalities between certain nations”, he said.
“Countries in the Global South have been grouped together not only in terms of their economic status or shared colonial history but also based on their legal response to their colonial past and socio-economic conditions. Our constitutions are a deviation from the language of constitutionalism and justice prevalent among Western Nations,” he added.
Citing examples, he said constitutions of several nations in the Global South are cognizant of the existence of indigenous minorities, who have been historically prejudiced, and expressly recognize their rights through special provisions.
“Provisions providing for affirmative action in education, public employment, and the legislature for Scheduled Tribes in the Indian Constitution is one such example,” the Chief Justice of India said.
India’s G20 sherpa and former NITI Aayog chief, Amitabh Kant, who also addressed the gathering, said technology has made the lives of its citizens easier and more efficient.
He said that India’s G20 Presidency gave an opportunity to engage meaningfully with member countries and learn from experiences as well as showcase India’s achievements.
He emphasised ethical and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence and said tools derived from AI can be useful for legal and judicial processes.
There is no question of replacing human reasoning, logic and intelligence with automation but there are many aspects of technology that can be used, he said. (ANI)
They reaffirmed the crucial role of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Data for Development in boosting growth, improving delivery of public services and accelerating development…reports Asian Lite News
At the Second Voice of the Global South Summit, leaders underscored their commitment to promoting effective integration of the partner countries for stronger global efforts to improve supply chains, facilitate access to markets and keep global supply chains open, secure, trusted, stable, accessible and peaceful.
The Global South leaders further highlighted the role of South-South cooperation in this regard and discussed ways to promote mutual cooperation and investments amongst the Global South countries.
Leaders from the Global South countries gathered at the second virtual ‘Voice of the Global South Summit’ organized by India, under the theme: ‘Global South: Together for Everyone’s Growth, Everyone’s Trust’ on Friday.
On the issue of technological transformation, leaders of the Global South countries, recognized that technology can offer unprecedented opportunities. They called for more equitable access to the benefits of the digital economy including by addressing the risks and challenges emerging from the use of technologies and ensuring that the benefits of these technologies are available to all, the summit statement said.
They reaffirmed the crucial role of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Data for Development in boosting growth, improving delivery of public services and accelerating development.
Leaders called for reinvigorating a more inclusive multilateralism, including through reform of the multilateral system for implementing the 2030 Agenda and achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They reiterated the call for comprehensive reforms of the United Nations, with the Security Council at its core, to make it ‘fit for purpose’ to effectively address contemporary global challenges.
They emphasised that a reformed United Nations must be faithful to its founding principles and adapt to carrying out its mandate. Leaders further reaffirmed the need for better integrating the perspectives of developing countries in international agendas so as to make the global governance systems more inclusive, representative and consultative.
“Leaders recognized women’s central and irrefutable role in sustainable development and expressed their commitments to promoting women-led development and enhancing women’s full, equal, effective, and meaningful participation as decision-makers for addressing global challenges, ” the statement added.
They acknowledged that women’s contribution as active participants in all spheres of society, across all sectors and at all levels of the economy is not only crucial for achieving gender equality but also for contributing to global GDP growth and sustainable development.
They expressed their concerns about the ongoing crises and their impact on the 2030 agenda. In this regard, the leaders called for following bold, ambitious, accelerated, just and transformative actions, anchored in international solidarity and effective cooperation at all levels. Leaders especially called for a collective focus on enhancing resilience in our economies, societies, healthcare systems, education systems and infrastructure.
They called for transforming education and for implementing One Health approach and strengthening health systems. They further reiterated that States will not be able to achieve the ambitious Goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda without a revitalized and enhanced global partnership and comparably ambitious means of implementation.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the two summits of the Global South sent a big message to the world that the Global South wants ‘autonomy’ and its voice should be heard on global governance.
“Two summits of the Global South being held in a year and a large participation in it send out a big message to the world. The message is: Global South wants its autonomy, Global South wants its voice to be heard on Global Governance, Global South is ready to take big responsibility on global issues…India is proud that during an important forum like the G20, we got the opportunity to put the voice of the Global South on the agenda,” he said.
He added, “The credit for this goes to your strong support and firm belief in India. For this, I am really grateful to you. And I believe that was raised during the G20 summit will be echoed in upcoming forums.”
While speaking at the Concluding Leaders Session of the Voice of Global South Summit, PM Modi went on to mention the humanitarian aid sent by India to multiple countries during tough times and emphasised continuing in the upcoming days. (ANI)
World leaders celebrate India’s commitment and compassion in unprecedented times…reports Asian Lite News
Against the backdrop of the 78th UN General Assembly session, leaders from the Global South congregated in New York on September 24, 2023 to articulate their gratitude and deep respect for India. They applauded its resilient support during the tumultuous times of the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasized its crucial role in ensuring the Global South’s voice echoed strongly on the international stage, particularly during the consequential G20 presidency.
India’s Supportive Stance
India, historically recognized as a land of diverse cultures and ancient wisdom, emerged during the pandemic as a global harbinger of unity and compassion. Its leadership not only provided immediate relief but also strategically paved the way for long-term collaborations.
The ‘India-UN for Global South: Delivering for Development’ event, hosted by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, painted a canvas of global camaraderie. The leaders, representing a vast array of nations, were unanimous in their commendations for India’s strategic foresight. They highlighted the remarkable inclusion of Global South concerns at the crucial G20 Leaders’ Summit in Delhi, a diplomatic extravaganza that culminated in the unanimous adoption of a defining joint declaration.
Bhutan’s Voice of Gratitude
Tandi Dorji, Bhutan’s eloquent Minister of Foreign Affairs, served as a voice for many in the room. With a firm grasp on global dynamics, he accentuated India’s “pivotal role in amplifying the concerns of the Global South.” Dorji, during his speech, recalled a historical instance when Bhutan faced challenges, and India, adhering to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, had come forward in support. He remarked, “In a rapidly changing world landscape, India’s leadership during the G20 Summit not only reflected its global significance but also stood as a testament to its unwavering commitment to international cooperation.”
He further praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s astute diplomatic acumen in successfully advocating for the African Union’s induction into the G20. Reflecting on the broader impact of such a decision, he added, “The inclusion not only diversified the G20’s composition but enriched its deliberations, allowing for a more comprehensive global outlook.”
Dominica’s Perspective
Vince Henderson, Dominica’s dynamic Foreign Affairs Minister, added depth to the dialogue with his candid revelations. Drawing from personal experiences, he emphasized the game-changing significance of India’s vaccine outreach.
Recounting a poignant moment from his past, Henderson shared, “I was sitting in a global capital, its name I won’t disclose, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. The dire need for vaccines was palpable, and solutions seemed distant. Just when despair was setting in, India, like a ray of hope, came forward, supplying life-saving vaccines to Dominica and countless other states.” He pointedly distanced India’s genuine humanitarian effort from the so-called ‘vaccine diplomacy’ that some nations engaged in. His speech, filled with genuine emotion, drew spontaneous applause, capturing the room’s collective sentiment.
Voices From Across Oceans and Mountains
Leaders from diverse backgrounds, spanning the vast expanse from Mauritius to the Maldives, reiterated India’s unwavering dedication to sustainable and inclusive growth. The ambience was one of deep appreciation, with personal anecdotes and shared experiences amplifying the impact of India’s efforts.
Mauritius’ Maneesh Gobin, a seasoned diplomat, elaborated on the inclusive approach India championed during its G20 presidency. He said, “When diverging opinions seemed to be the norm, India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, emerged as the unifying force. It not only listened but actively incorporated the Global South’s concerns, ensuring a holistic dialogue.”
While there was much praise, there was also acknowledgment of challenges. Countries like the Maldives, grappling with their own sets of adversities, found a dependable ally in India. Ahmed Khaleel, Maldivian Foreign Minister, elucidated, “The India-UN Development Partnership Fund is being hailed globally as a benchmark for South-South cooperation.” He fondly recalled India’s consistent support, from development projects to combating climate change adversities, “India’s leadership in the Global South has always been pronounced, but during these trying times, its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy genuinely made a tangible difference.”
Vaccine Maitri Initiative: A Global Beacon of Hope
The Vaccine Maitri initiative emerged as a focal point of discussions. Recognized as one of India’s landmark humanitarian endeavors, it has facilitated the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines to nearly 100 nations. Bhutan’s Dorji, reflecting on the larger implications, remarked, “Beyond the immediate health benefits, Vaccine Maitri underscored the possibility of international collaboration in the face of adversity. The India-Bhutan partnership serves as a sterling example of robust bilateral relations in the Global South.”
Several leaders, including Maldivian Foreign Minister Khaleel, Mauritian Foreign Minister Maneesh Gobin, and Saint Lucia Foreign Minister Alva Romanus Baptiste, expanded on India’s multi-faceted involvement in the Global South. They elaborated on the myriad ways – from infrastructural projects to sustainable development initiatives – in which India has been instrumental.
A Resounding Endorsement
As the event reached its conclusion, the overarching sentiment looked promising. India, with its commitment and vision, had solidified its role as not just a regional leader, but a global one. Its actions during the pandemic, both in terms of immediate relief and long-term strategies, have set a benchmark for international cooperation.
In the words of Mauritius’ Gobin, which aptly summed up the entire discourse, “India stands as a testament to the power of unity, cooperation, and vision. In bringing the Global South to the decision-making table, it has not only amplified voices but has also sown the seeds for a more inclusive future.” (India News Network)
The “India-UN Capacity Building Initiative” builds upon the extensive cooperation in development and capacity building that India already has bilaterally with its partner countries, the release said…reports Asian Lite News
India and the United Nations have launched a joint “India-UN Capacity Building Initiative” that aims to share India’s development experiences, best practices and expertise with partner countries in the Global South through capacity building and training programs, said a release from the United Nations.
According to the official release, the initiative was announced at an event titled “India-UN for the Global South–Delivering for Development” in New York on 23 September 2023 in the presence of the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
The event also saw the participation of Dennis Francis, President of the 78th General Assembly, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, Prime Minister of Samoa, Tandi Dorji, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bhutan, Vince Henderson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade and Energy, Dominica, Hugh Hilton Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Guyana.
Maneesh Gobin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mauritius, Alva Romanus Baptiste, Minister for External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation and Diaspora Affairs, St. Lucia, Ahmed Khaleel, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Maldives, Achim Steiner, Administrator, UNDP, Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Commissioner for India were also present in the event.
The “India-UN Capacity Building Initiative” builds upon the extensive cooperation in development and capacity building that India already has bilaterally with its partner countries, the release said.
The India-UN initiative also complements the India-UN partnership in the form of “India-UN Development Partnership Fund” which has developed a portfolio of 75 development projects in 61 countries in the last 6 years.
As part of this initiative, the UN India team and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will partner to leverage India’s Technical and Economic Cooperation platform to share India’s development experiences and best practices across the world.
The release informed that a Joint Declaration of Intent was also exchanged on Sunday between the UN Resident Coordinator in India and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to this effect.
This Initiative will also operationalise the development-relevant deliverables of India’s G20 Presidency, including the G20 Action Plan for Accelerating Progress on the SDGs, technological transformation and building Digital Public Infrastructure, among others.
The united nations marked the initiative as a significant contribution to global efforts towards accelerating momentum for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by strengthening South-South Cooperation and reflects India’s continuing efforts to strengthen its development partnership with the Global South.
The release added that the initiative carries forward the successful G20 Presidency of India which saw inclusion of the voice of Global South into the G20 agenda and entry of the African Union into the grouping. (ANI)
PM Narendra Modi said that the Global South is not just a diplomatic term but represents the shared history of countries against colonialism and apartheid based on which modern relations are being reshaped…reports Asian Lite News
Throughout its presidency of the G20, India shares a vision of being the voice of the Global South and the country has ensured to walk the talk with its focus on raising concerns.
“Our G20 priorities will be shaped in consultation with not just our G20 partners, but also our fellow travellers in the Global South, whose voice often goes unheard,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said last December.
When India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1, 2022, PM Modi set out various visions for the nation’s year-long presidency and the Global South was one of them.
Global South is used to refer to developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, while economically developed countries such as the United States, Canada, Europe, Russia, Australia and New Zealand constitute Global North.
In fulfilling its ambition, India has raised the issues that were concerning the Global South countries on the international forums and at the United Nations meetings and conferences.
Recently, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar affirmed that India has walked the talk when it comes to raising issues of the Global South.
“So how has India walked the talk, when it comes to Global South? Stress situations normally provide a good indicator of intent and behaviour. During the Covid (pandemic), Made-in-India vaccines were sent to about 100 countries. And about 150 nations imported medicines during this period from the Pharmacy of the World,” EAM Jaishankar had said while detailing how India worked to advance the cause of the Global South.
At the very beginning of its presidency, India hosted the Voice of Global South Summit virtually in January with representatives from 125 countries. India even ensured that the region remained centre stage at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima in May this year.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the Inaugural Leaders’ session on 12 January. This was followed by eight Ministerial-level thematic segments dedicated to addressing the most pressing concerns of the developing world. The Summit wrapped up on 13 January with a Concluding Leaders’ Session also hosted by Prime Minister,” according to the statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs.
“The participating Leaders appreciated and congratulated the leadership of the Prime Minister for hosting the Summit at a crucial juncture. They expressed hope that the Summit would serve as a catalyst for building a prosperous and inclusive future for the world that takes into account the needs of the Global South,” the statement added.
One of the pieces of evidence that India is voicing for Global South is adding the African Union as a full member of the G20.
Recently, at the 15th BRICS Summit in South Africa, PM Modi said that the Global South is not just a diplomatic term but represents the shared history of these countries against colonialism and apartheid based on which modern relations are being reshaped.
“I am grateful to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for giving me the opportunity to share thoughts with the leaders of Africa, Asia and Latin America. In the last two days, we have focussed on the priorities and concerns of the countries of Global South,” PM Modi said.
“We believe that giving importance to them is the need of the current generation. We have also decided on the expansion of BRICS. We welcome all new partner countries. It is another step towards making the global institutions and forums competitive,” he added.
Later in June, keeping in view the vision of PM Modi for India’s G20 Presidency to attempt to voice the views of the Global South on important international issues, India held a two-day event on International Taxation at the National Academy of Direct Taxes (NADT), Nagpur in collaboration with South Centre, a Geneva-based intergovernmental policy research think-tank of 55 developing countries, including India.
In the event, the G20-South Centre Capacity Building Event on International Taxation titled ‘Two Pillar Solution – Understanding the Implications for the Global South’ comprised two-panel discussions on the Two-Pillar Solution and its alternatives.
The discussions during the event focussed on the ramifications of the Two-Pillar Solution for developing economies. The event also included a workshop on Tax Treaty Negotiations. This event is an initiative of the Indian Presidency to bolster capacity building for Indian tax officials of both senior and middle management levels in the area of International Taxation, with a global south perspective.
Narrative of women-led development
As India is gearing up to host the G20 Leaders Summit, the concept of ‘women-led’ development has been at the centre of New Delhi’s agenda throughout its presidency.
Marking a shift from the focus on women’s empowerment alone, women-led development has emerged as a crucial focus area on a life-course approach basis under India’s presidency.
Through consensus-building on the global stage, India modelled a vision for progress in uplifting women worldwide with seven in-person conferences and 86 international meetings including virtual meetings that witnessed the participation of over 300 delegates from 18 G20 countries and seven guest countries.
New Delhi has also laid focus on the empowerment and recognition of women at the local or community level. This was recognized by PM Modi himself, who stated that empowerment of women is the “bedrock of our society’s development and their leadership, especially at the grassroots, is crucial for our inclusive and sustainable progress”.
Under India’s presidency, the G20 Ministerial Conference on Women’s Empowerment was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat from August 2-4, with participation by Women and Gender Equality Ministers from across the G20 and Guest countries.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development as the Nodal Officer for G20 Empower and W20 organized seven international meetings including the Ministerial Conference for Woman Empowerment.
The Conference had a total participation of over 138 International delegates from 15 G20 Countries namely Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, European Union, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and USA and 5 Guest Countries namely Bangladesh, Mauritius, Netherlands, Singapore and UAE. There have been over 60 speakers at the Conference.
Addressing the event, PM Modi emphasized that President Droupadi Murmu is setting an inspiring example herself. He underlined that she leads the world’s largest democracy and serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the world’s second-largest defence force even though she comes from a humble tribal background.
The Prime Minister noted that elected women representatives have been key agents of economic, environmental and social change and informed that 46 per cent of elected representatives in rural local bodies in India are women numbering 1.4 million.
“More than 80 per cent of nurses and midwives in India are women. They were our first line of defence during the pandemic. And, we are proud of their achievements”, he added.
He also informed that the number of women in technical education in Industrial Training Institutes has doubled since 2014, nearly 43 per cent of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) graduates in India are women, and about one-fourth of space scientists in India are women.
“Behind the success of our flagship programmes like Chandrayaan, Gaganyaan and Mission Mars lies the talent and hard work of these women scientists”, PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister also laid emphasis on the importance of women-led development during his Independence Day address.
Addressing the nation on the 77th Independence Day, he said, “The one thing that will take the country forward is women-led development. Today, we can proudly say that India has the maximum number of pilots in civil aviation. Women scientists are leading the Chandrayaan mission,” PM Modi said.
“The G20 countries are also recognising the importance of women-led development,” he added.
Union Minister for Women and Child Development Minister, Smriti Irani has also pointed out that it is because of PM Modi’s vision, that women-led development had become a subject of deliberations during the G20 leadership meetings.
While addressing the ‘Ministerial Conference on Women Empowerment’, she said that earlier, women-related issues were not paid much heed, but now they have been at the centre of the G20 deliberations.
Meanwhile, India’s achievements on the front of women-led development were reflected by the speakers including women achievers and drivers of change at the grassroots.
These included Hirabai Ibrahim Lodi, recipient of the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest award for civilians, for her work on women’s empowerment and education.
It also included Rasila Ben, India’s first female forest guard and now Head of the Rescue Department of the Gir National Park, which focuses on lion conservation. These inspiring women spoke at an international conference for the first time.
Notably, under India’s Presidency, 149 model initiatives from 19 G20 countries have been added to the Best Practices Playbook for G20 EMPOWER. Previously, the Best Practices Playbook had 3 focus areas; India added a new chapter in the EMPOWER playbook to support women at the grassroots.
With women-led development as the guiding light, India’s G20 presidency also outlined solutions tailored for women across education, entrepreneurship, technology, finance and beyond. Partnerships were strengthened, mindsets shifted, and policies transformed through camaraderie, consensus and teamwork.
Gender equality has been called “the greatest human rights challenge of our time”, and through its presidency, India advanced the G20’s role in meeting this challenge.
Its legacy lies in enabling women’s contributions across all levels of the economy and society through a presidency which incisive, decisive and action-oriented for ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ for the upliftment of not just women but humanity.
The W20 engagement group added emphasis on the role of women in climate change resilience with a first responders’ framework having been developed towards this.
This also aligns with India’s Mission LiFE or Lifestyle for Environment. As Prime Minister Modi highlighted that women are the brand ambassadors for Mission LiFE as they, for example, reduce, reuse, recycle and repurpose waste based on traditional wisdom.
Notably, under India’s Presidency, 149 model initiatives from 19 G20 countries have been added to the Best Practices Playbook for G20 EMPOWER. For the first time, the KPI Dashboard for G20 EMPOWER would look at the role of women in Small and Medium Enterprises.
India’s Presidency has added substantially to G20 EMPOWER advocates (comprising CEOs, association heads and other leaders) promoting women’s advancement. These have increased from 380 to 544, with 100 of the new additions coming from India.
The G20 EMPOWER advocacy pledge has also been updated to strengthen commitments to gender equality. 73 inspirational stories from 9 G20 countries highlighted women surmounting barriers have been placed on the G20 EMPOWER website.
Under India’s Presidency, there has been an emphasis on the need for gender-disaggregated data for improved decision-making, as well as on the role of public-private partnerships for impact.
Over 300,000 citizens were engaged through Janbhagidari events or Citizen Engagement to showcase Women–led Development.
Meanwhile, India is geared up to host the G20 Leader’s Summit in the national capital at the newly inaugurated Bharat Mandapam on September 9-10.
This is the first time that the G20 Summit is taking place under India’s presidency. The event will be graced by many global leaders and delegates. Extensive preparations and arrangements have been made for the summit, with the intention of showcasing both India’s soft power as well as modern face.
India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 last year and about 200 meetings related to G20 were organized in 60 cities across the country.
The 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi will be a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies.
A G20 Leaders’ declaration will be adopted at the conclusion of the G20 Summit, stating Leaders’ commitment towards the priorities discussed and agreed upon during the respective ministerial and working group meetings.
“When women prosper, the world prospers. Their economic empowerment fuels growth, their access to education drives global progress, their leadership fosters inclusivity, and their voices inspire positive change,” said PM Modi. (ANI)
Svane further said that the G20 Summit is the biggest chance for India to set the direction for the future global world order, and everyone is hopeful that India’s presidency will further facilitate handling the global challenges..reports Asian Lite News
Exuding confidence in New Delhi as the “leader of the Global South”, Denmark’s Ambassador to India, Freddy Svane said that the world needs a country like India which believes in democracy and rule of law, as alternative to powers who “debt-trap” the poor countries.
Svane called India the “leader of the Global South” and affirmed confidence that New Delhi will build between the Global South and other countries in the West.
“Since India has the presidency, I am very confident that India will be the leader of the Global South and will build a bridge between the West, US, Europe and so forth, Japan and the Global South. Mainly in Africa but also in Latin America,” he added.
He called the G20 Summit the biggest chance for India to set the direction for the future global world order.
Svane said, “India has spent a lot of resources in securing that this summit will be the biggest, the greenest and the most successful one ever in G20. And G20 is much more relevant than we might think because that will set the direction for how we cope with climate change, shortage of food and all these challenges that are putting the world in a big crisis”.
In an apparent reference to China, the Denmark envoy stated that the world needs a country that believed in Democracy as an alternative to “other powers who are debt-trapping poor countries”
“My take is very clear. We need an alternative to other powers who are debt-trapping poor countries. We need a country that believes in democracy, in the rule of law and that’s India, India is an alternative to a better future where we also work with countries in such a way that we’re not being trapped by debt but they are being given new opportunities. Luckily, India is taking the lead. We will have a fantastic summit under the Indian leadership,” he said.
Svane further said that the G20 Summit is the biggest chance for India to set the direction for the future global world order, and everyone is hopeful that India’s presidency will further facilitate handling the global challenges
“This is the biggest challenge ever for this world. But it is also the biggest chance for India to set the direction for the future global world order that is what India is going to do. We are so hopeful that India will keep the compass and ensure that the needle is pointing at the global agenda that will make us capable of handling all the challenges that we are facing, including climate, shortage of food, fuel, and fertilizers. How do we deal with climate, financing, and digitisation,” the Denmark envoy said.
He added, “So great hopes as to the Indian presidency…it is so important that the global Leaders Summit being here in India in Delhi, they agree to a kind of common agenda based on a common perception of all these challenges that we are facing. You are suffering, I am suffering. We can live with that, but all people who are living in very poor conditions across the world, need our actions”. (ANI)
India is placing its bets on making its presidency a success by pushing for the membership of the African Union in the G20…reports Asian Lite News
The G20 leaders’ summit will be held in New Delhi on September 9-10. The 18th iteration of the summit cap India’s year-long presidency of the G20, at the end of which a G20 Leaders’ Declaration will be adopted.
In the lead-up to the summit, the Indian government have repeatedly invoked the term ‘Global South’. Earlier this year, at the G20 Development Ministers’ meeting in Varanasi, the Prime Minister said that “development is a core issue for the Global South”.
India has flagged the issues plaguing the Global South countries on international forums, including at the United Nations meetings and conferences, many times before.
“In the years following its independence, India pioneered the Non-Alignment Movement to ensure more room to manoeuvre and wider options for developing countries to avoid becoming embroiled in the great power politics of the time, while championing third world solidarity,” Shairee Malhotra, Associate Fellow, Europe with global think tank Observer Research Foundation’s (ORF) Strategic Studies Programme, wrote in her February article.
New Delhi’s close relations with countries in the Global North, and its similar challenges to those of the Global South, puts the Asian country in a unique position, Malhotra further noted.
As Ashok Malik, a former adviser to the Indian foreign ministry, told Deutsche Welle (DW) that India has “a deep intersection with the West in terms of strategic goals and values.” But, he added that “it also has deep roots in the Global South. So what India has tried to do is to be a bridge between the G20 members of the developed world, as it were, and the Global South.”
With India at the helm of G20, it has continued to make efforts to bring the Global North and South – which often do not agree on key policy areas – to the table.
In January, India convened a virtual summit titled ‘Voice of the Global South Summit’ of leaders and ministers of developing countries. New Delhi aimed to consult countries not represented in G20 about their developmental priorities and their expectations from India during its presidency, reported Hindustan Times (HT).
Prime Minister Modi in his inaugural address to the summit on 12 January called for a global agenda of 4Rs – Respond, Recognise, Respect and Reform.
Explaining further, the Indian leader, as per The Diplomat magazine, said that “this meant responding to the priorities of the Global South, recognising the principle of ‘Common but Differentiated Responsibilities’, respecting the sovereignty of all nations, and reforming international institutions to make them more relevant.”
Billed as the “largest” digital conference, the summit saw the presence of 125 countries, including 29 from Latin America and the Caribbean, 47 African nations, seven countries from Europe, 31 Asian countries, and 11 countries from Oceania, reported HT.
Calling for a “human-centric globalisation” Modi told the summit that “India’s G20 presidency will attempt to voice the views of the Global South” on important issues.
Later in June, India held a two-day event on international taxation in Maharashtra’s Nagpur, along with South Centre, a Geneva-based intergovernmental policy research think-tank of 55 developing countries. In a press release at the time, the finance ministry said, “Under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has strived to champion the concerns and aspirations of the Global South during its G20 presidency. The focus of this event was to address the pressing tax challenges emerging from the digitalisation of the global economy and explore solutions that promote inclusivity and fairness”.
According to The Hindu report, India is placing its bets on making its presidency a success by pushing for the membership of the African Union (AU) in the G20.
The report says that there is “much support” for India’s AU proposal because of two reasons. Firstly, this is the first time that the G20 troika – Indonesia, India and Brazil – consists of three developing and emerging economies.
Secondly, the present G20 is seen as “over-representing” Europe, as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union (EU) make up a quarter of the grouping.
While Russia and China, who want no reference to the Ukraine war in a G20 document, are already posing a challenge for India’s presidency to bring all leaders on board to forge a joint statement, the induction of AU members can prove a “bright spot” for the country, the newspaper noted.
In his address, the prime minister said that India considers the whole world as one family and has focussed on bringing the concerns of the Global South to the mainstream level…reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the Global South is not just a diplomatic term but represents the shared history of these countries against colonialism and apartheid based on which modern relations are being reshaped.
Addressing the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue in Johannesburg, PM Modi said BRICS countries- and all friendly nations present at the summit can contribute to the strengthening of a multipolar world.
“I am grateful to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for giving me the opportunity to share thoughts with the leaders of Africa, Asia and Latin America. In the last two days, we have focussed on the priorities and concerns of the countries of Global South,” PM Modi said.
“We believe that giving importance to them is the need of the current generation. We have also decided on the expansion of BRICS. We welcome all new partner countries. It is another step towards making the global institutions and forums competitive,” he added.
PM Modi recalled that it was on South African land that Mahatma Gandhi developed, tested the concepts of non-violence and peaceful resistance used in in India’s freedom struggle. He said that Gandhi’s thoughts provided inspiration to the South African leader Nelson Mandela.
In his address, the prime minister said that India considers the whole world as one family and has focussed on bringing the concerns of the Global South to the mainstream level.
“…This is also the core principle of our G20 presidency. To bring the concerns of the Global South into the mainstream, we have invited three African nations and several developing nations as guest countries. India has also put forward the proposal of giving permanent G20 membership to the African Union. I believe that BRICS and all friendly nations present today, can contribute to strengthening the multipolar world,” PM Modi said further.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi congratulated leaders and people of Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE over their full membership of BRICS and said India has always supported the expansion of the organisation.
In a statement in the presence of other leaders from BRICS countries, PM Modi said India has always believed that adding new members will strengthen BRICS as an organisation.
“India has always supported the expansion of BRICS. India has always believed that adding new members will strengthen BRICS as an organisation,” he said.
PM Modi said India has “historic ties” with all the new members of BRICS.
He said India will also contribute to other countries wanting to join as partner countries of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). (ANI)
