Press Conference by Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ General Assembly President
New Delhi, India, 24 January 2024
Video Link:
OPENING REMARKS:
Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵGA President Mr. Dennis Francis: Good afternoon, everyone. Namaste. I’m delighted to be in India for the first time in my capacity as President of the General Assembly. But India is not unknown to me.
I am particularly delighted to interact with you all, friends from the Indian media, who have always shown great interest in the work of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and, in particular, the United Nations General Assembly. You help convey the work we do to 1.4 billion people, which is a quarter of humanity. I sincerely thank you for your work and your continuing interest.
I’m here in India at the invitation of the External Affairs Minister, Dr. Jaishankar, whom I have just met.
The primary focus of my visit is to seek India’s continued support for my presidency’s priorities towards peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability at the United Nations General Assembly, but most importantly to appreciate firsthand India’s transformative actions, which I have seen myself during my stay so far, and how that can be a benchmark for other countries. in the global South and beyond.
India is already a key player both globally and at the United Nations. As the world’s largest democracy, where unity and diversity has endured for many years, India can relate very easily to principles of universality, which is the bedrock of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ’s foundation for sovereign equality of States.
In these challenging times, where the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ membership is more divided, as President of the General Assembly, I look to India to lead the charge in our quest to repair the trust deficit among Member States.
My first engagement in New Delhi was to pay my respects to Mahatma Gandhi at his resting place. I hold deep reverence and inspiration for Mahatma Gandhi. His words ¨C”there is no way to peace; peace is the way¡± — I believe is more relevant now than ever during these pressing times.
I then traveled to Jaipur, Rajasthan, where I personally witnessed the richness and sophistication of Indian civilization at various Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵESCO World Heritage Sites. I also met with the Governor, the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan. And I extend my sincere gratitude for their generosity and hospitality.
Most importantly, I was extremely impressed and uplifted by my visit to the Jaipur Foot Centre, which provides affordable and accessible prosthetic limbs to the needy. It stands as a pinnacle of India’s ingenuity, an innovation that restores hope and human dignity.
Back in Delhi, today I had the opportunity to engage on the promise of the digital public infrastructure for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. It is an honor to engage on a topic of such vital importance, especially in India, home of the world-class unified payment system and culture of innovation that placed it in the hands of millions.
As you know, I just finished my meeting with Minister Jaishankar. We had a comprehensive discussion on a wide range of issues that command our immediate attention. I commend the Minister’s personal commitment to the work of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and encourage his continued and active engagement.
After this briefing, I will head to the Indian Council for World Affairs to deliver the 47th Sapru House Lecture on Multilateralism for Peace, Progress, Prosperity and Sustainability.
The last leg of my visit to India will be in Mumbai, where I will meet key officials and take part in Republic Day celebrations.
While in Mumbai, I will also be addressing a fireside chat. on a critical issue, which I am sure is on all of your minds, and that is the revitalization and modernization of the multilateral system.
On that note, I open the floor for your questions and or comments. Thank you once more for your interest in and support of the work of the United Nations.
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