Blitz Bureau
APPEALING to developing countries to speak in a united voice at September’s special summit at the United Nations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that “just and inclusive” global governance is needed.
Global Development Compact
Speaking at the 3rd Voice of the Global South Summit (VOGS) hosted by India in virtual format on Saturday, Mr. Modi announced plans to fund a new “Global Development Compact” focusing on trade, capacity building and technology sharing, as well as trade negotiation training for developing countries, for which India will provide a total of $3.5 million (₹29 crores), according to a report by The Hindu.
While India had hosted two VOGS summits in 2023, with a view to bolstering the G20 summit with the general consensus amongst developing countries, this summit is timed ahead of the UN’s “Summit of the Future” being held in New York on September 22-23, which Mr. Modi is expected to attend, officials said.
Tensions and conflicts
Addressing about 20 leaders who attended the inaugural session, Mr. Modi took note of their concerns over prevailing “tensions and conflicts” in the world. According to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who briefed the media about the conference, the “quite a few” participants raised concerns over the continuing conflict in Gaza and growing civilian casualties. More than 40,000 people have been killed over nearly a year of Israeli bombing.
“Solutions to these concerns depend on just and inclusive global governance, such institutions whose priorities give preference to the Global South, where developed countries also fulfil their responsibilities and commitments, take steps to reduce the gap between the Global North and the Global South,” Mr. Modi said, in a reference to India’s consistent demand for a seat in an expanded UN Security Council.
“The Summit of the Future at the UN next month could be an important milestone for all of this,” he added, listing “terrorism, extremism and separatism” as well as “technology divides” as serious challenges for the world.
Yunus attends session
Among the 20 leaders who attended the inaugural session, was the new interim leader of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, his first such appearance nearly two weeks after protesting mobs forced former PM Sheikh Hasina to flee Bangladesh and travel to India.
Mr. Yunus, a microfinance expert who won the Nobel Peace Prize, made no reference to the political situation, focussing instead on the need for equitable financing, particularly social and environmental projects
