New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the increasing demand for United Nations (UN) reforms, emphasizing that countries should engage in text-based negotiations to present their ideas for consideration by the global body. His remarks came during a press conference on August 17, following the Third Voice of Global South Summit, which was hosted by India.
Global Sentiment for UN Reforms
Jaishankar acknowledged the growing sentiment among nations for reforms within the UN, noting that various groups of countries have put forth distinct ideas on the subject. He stressed the importance of reconciling these ideas and allowing UN member states to choose from them democratically.
“Is there a growing sentiment for UN reforms? Absolutely,” Jaishankar stated. “There are many specific ideas, and different groups of countries have their own perspectives. The goal is to reconcile these to the best extent possible and then subject them to a democratic choice. We won’t achieve perfect unity among the 190-plus countries, but our approach is to open up the discussion, allowing everyone to present their ideas and letting the UN membership make an informed decision. We believe that negotiations should be text-based.”
Speaking to the press on conclusion of 3rd #VoiceOfGlobalSouth Summit. #VoGSS
https://t.co/EuTnfoObon— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 17, 2024
Summit Participation and Key Takeaways
The summit saw significant participation, with representatives from 123 countries attending the event. Jaishankar reported that 21 heads of state, 118 ministers, and 34 foreign ministers were involved in the discussions. The summit featured ten ministerial sessions, focusing on the theme “Empowering the Global South for a Sustainable Future.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered the opening and closing remarks at the Inaugural Leaders’ Session of the Voice of Global South Summit 3.0. This summit aligns with PM Modi’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas,” reflecting India’s philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” which envisions bringing together countries of the Global South to share their perspectives on common issues.
Continuation of the Global South Summit Initiative
The Voice of Global South Summit initiative, launched by India, has become an important platform for countries in the Global South to discuss their challenges, priorities, and solutions. India hosted the first summit on January 12-13, 2023, followed by the second summit on November 17, both in virtual formats.
These summits have seen participation from over 100 countries, and the insights gained have been integrated into the agenda and discussions of the G-20 Summit under India’s presidency. The third summit continued these deliberations, with a focus on the developmental challenges faced by the Global South.
This latest summit, like the previous ones, was held virtually and featured Leaders’ Sessions and Ministerial sessions aimed at advancing the shared goals of the participating countries.
