The reform and restructuring of UN is the critical need of our times: Krishna tells world leaders at 64th UN General Assembly

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna (left) greets his counterpart,
Stephen Smith from Australia at a reception hosted by Amb Hardeep
Singh Puri, permanent representative to the UN in New York.

"The reform and restructuring of the global governance architecture is the critical need of our times and the voice of the developing world, including the small island nations and of Africa is of principal and core relevance, if we are to have truly participatory and global responses to global challenges," S M Krishna, India’s Minister for External Affairs told the world leaders, while addressing the 64th General Assembly of the United Nations on September 26, 2009 in New York.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon met with S.M. Krishna, Minister for
External Affairs of India.

On September 23, 2009 the External Affairs Minister arrived in New York leading the Indian delegation to participate in the General Debate of the 64th session of the UN General Assembly. "At the centrestage of multilateralism and international cooperation is the United Nations. The UN is a platform where the world meets to express views and undertake commitments on global issues of mutual concern on an equal footing. Inclusiveness and collective action, in all aspects of the work of the organization is at the heart of its Charter. This vision must be our lodestar, the guiding principle of all we undertake. India is committed to working with member states to make the United Nations more relevant and tuned in to contemporary realities. Reforming the United Nations is a matter of utmost priority." He spelt out the need for "reform in the three essentials of the Charter i.e. Peace and Security, Development, and Human Rights."

S M Krishna, India’s Minister for External Affairs

Pointing to the fact that the United Nations has completed 65 years of its existence, going through the decades that have seen the world change in fundamental ways, S M Krishna said, "Connectivity defines our global condition and the challenges that we collectively face are global. The resolution of these challenges, as we are aware require global approaches and solutions. What may happen in one part of the world has an impact on other regions."

External Affairs Minister S M Krishna (right) greets Foreign Minister Nyan Win of Myanmur at a reception hosted by Amb Hardeep Singh Puri permanent
representative to the UN in New York.

He called upon the member States to "introspect more deeply on whether the United Nations and other global governance structures are geared to effectively meet the challenges that confront us all." He expressed India’s concern "that even after more than six decades, international governance structures are neither inclusive nor participatory. Consequently, these structures and institutions have not kept pace or evolved, with the changed nature, the intensity and the depth of contemporary global issues. The question therefore is: are these institutions able enough to address these challenges either adequately or satisfactorily?"

India's foriegn Minister S.M.Krishna speaking at a press conference at Hotel New York Palace on sept 27th-09 left foriegn secretary Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao , and Hardeep Puri, permanent representative to UN at right can be seen in pic.

The Minister from India went on to state that in the face of the current economic and financial crisis, hard-won gains in alleviating poverty, hunger, illiteracy and disease are being reversed. Today, the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals are seriously threatened. Policies of protectionism under these already adverse circumstances will exacerbate the serious situation that many countries face. And he urged "the United Nations act in concert to coherently overcome these challenges. India, which is actively engaged in the G-20 and other processes, has always stressed that developing countries must receive priority in any global response to the crisis."

Indian Foreign Minister S M Krishna and Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi at left at a meeting in NY.

Confirming India’s belief that international trade and commerce has a central role to play in revitalizing global economic growth, Krishna said, "We are committed to negotiations in the Doha Development Round. We strongly favor fair and equitable rule-based multilateral trade negotiations, which recognize and address the legitimate demands of the developing countries. India supports resumption of the negotiations at an early date and stands ready to engage with all WTG Members to complete the modalities and address any outstanding problems."

Stating that climate change is one of the most important global challenges that we face today, he said, "Developing countries bear a disproportionate share of its adverse effects even though they are not responsible for it. Cognizant of the serious threat that climate change poses, India is engaged in the ongoing negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change including in the upcoming Copenhagen Conference. India will work for an outcome that recognizes the development imperatives of developing countries and is rooted in the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities."

Poverty alleviation and livelihood security are central imperatives for India. For this, accelerated economic growth and energy security are critical drivers. In pursuing our development goals, India has been successful in significantly reducing its energy intensity. India will continue to pursue this path, he said and pointed out that "India has taken several independent initiatives to address the issue of climate change. We have put in place a comprehensive policy and legislative framework as well as a National Action Plan on Climate Change."

On the nuclear issue that threatens the world, Krishna said, "India attaches highest priority to the goal of nuclear disarmament and has an impeccable non-proliferation record. We welcome the renewed global debate on achieving a world free of nuclear weapons." And he pointed out to the proposals on nuclear disarmament in the UN, including a Working Paper in 2006, proposing elements to fashion a new consensus on disarmament and non-proliferation. We will continue to engage with key countries to intensify this debate with the hope that greater international understanding could lend itself to a firm commitment for action on nuclear disarmament, he declared.

Recounting India’s contributions to the United Nations, Krishna said, "India stands committed to the safeguarding of international peace and security. Over the past five decades, we contributed more than 100,000 peacekeepers and have suffered the highest number of casualties in these decades. Strengthening the normative basis for peacekeeping operations and giving major Troop Contributing Countries (TCCs) a greater say, will serve to make peacekeeping more effective.

Referring to the barbaric terrorist attack on the innocent people of Mumbai on November 26, 2008, India’s Foreign Minister said, "There cannot be any justification whatsoever for such mindless terrorist acts. It is our collective responsibility and duty to work together to ensure that terrorists, organizers, perpetrators and supporters of such crimes are brought to justice. To strengthen the international legal framework of the fight against terrorism, India had proposed a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT)."

And he called upon all countries to make serious efforts in the next few weeks to arrive at a consensus on the text. He reiterated India’s steadfast commitment to the work of the United Nations, which is "the trustee of the world’s peace and represents the hopes of mankind. Its very existence gives a feeling of assurance that the justice of true causes can be brought fearlessly before the world. This Assembly and the agencies of the United Nations should, in all that they do, sustain those hopes and promote the causes of peace. The truth and conviction of these words are more meaningful today than ever before."

On Sep 24, Krishna attended a reception hosted by the US President, Barack Obama. He had called on the several leaders from around the word. Earlier during the week, Krishna met with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The two reaffirmed that they attached high importance to the strategic partnership that was based on shared values and common interests. Secretary Clinton conveyed that the US regarded India as one of most important partners. They reviewed the progress in bilateral relations since the visit of Secretary to India in July this year. In this context they noted that Home Minister’s visit early this month had laid the foundation for furthering cooperation in counter-terrorism cooperation and intelligence exchange. They agreed that PM’s visit in November this year, which will be the first state visit for the US, will help in further strengthening and broadening the bilateral relationship. He met with the President of Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, during which the two leaders discussed bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest. He had delivered a speech at the Council of Foreign Affairs on India-US Relations in the 21st Century. On September 23, he hosted a reception at the Permanent Mission of India in New York to the United Nations to several dignitaries attending the General Assembly.

[ BY AJAY GHOSH ]