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78th session of UNGA

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• GS Paper 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
• Important International institutions.
• Tags: #UNGA #G20 #india #terrorism #AI #currentaffairs #upsc.

 Why in the News?

India is the largest democracy in the world and a leading member of the international community. It is a founding member of the United Nations and has played a significant role in the organization’s work over the years. At this year’s UNGA meeting, India will be represented by its External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar. He is expected to address a wide range of issues.

Highlights of Jaishankar’s Speech at UNGA:

1. Global Rules-Based Order: Jaishankar emphasized the need for a fair, equitable, and democratic international order, asserting that rule-makers should not subjugate rule-takers. He called for rules to apply equally to all nations.
2. G20 Summit Impact: He highlighted the significance of India’s G20 presidency and its focus on the concerns of the most vulnerable, including the African Union’s inclusion as a permanent member.
3. Cooperation with Diverse Partners: India’s evolution from non-alignment to being a “friend to the world” was noted. Jaishankar emphasized India’s ability to engage with a broad range of nations and harmonize interests, citing examples like the QUAD and BRICS.
4. Chandrayaan-3 Success: He hailed India’s successful lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3, landing on the Moon’s South Pole, showcasing India’s achievements in space exploration.
5. Counter-Terrorism Stance: Jaishankar stressed that political convenience should not determine responses to terrorism, extremism, and violence, urging the world to have the courage to address these issues realistically.
6. UNSC Reform: He called for the United Nations to make the Security Council contemporary, inspired by the African Union’s inclusion in the G20, and underscored the importance of respecting territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs.
7. End of Agenda Setting by a Few Nations: Jaishankar highlighted the need to move away from a system where a few nations set the global agenda, emphasizing that such days are over.
8. Empowerment of Women: He mentioned India’s commitment to gender equality, referring to the path-breaking legislation to reserve one-third of seats for women in legislatures.
9. Climate Action and help to last standing: Jaishankar called for stringent climate action and criticized practices like vaccine apartheid and using markets to steer essential resources away from the needy.
10. Digital Governance: He shared India’s message of digitally enabled governance and infrastructural growth, showcasing the nation’s vibrant start-up ecosystem.
11. In his address, Jaishankar conveyed India’s commitment to fostering cooperation, addressing global challenges, and contributing to a more equitable and just world order.

“Other Achievements” in UNGA

1. Discussion with UN Leadership: Jaishankar engaged with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and President of the 78th session of the General Assembly Dennis Francis. They discussed India’s G20 Presidency and its impact on the UN’s sustainable development agenda.
2. Cooperation with UNDP: He met with the United Nations Development Programme Administrator Achim Steiner and acknowledged the UNDP’s engagement with India’s G20 Presidency initiatives, emphasizing the potential for scaling up Indian success stories for global benefit.
3. Meeting with UAE Foreign Minister: Jaishankar held talks with Foreign Minister of the UAE, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, discussing the progress in bilateral cooperation and exchanging perspectives on regional and global issues.
4. Interaction with Madagascar’s Foreign Minister: He had a warm meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Madagascar, Yvette Sylla, discussing various aspects of the development partnership, millet and rice production, digital delivery, and defence cooperation.
5. Support for India’s G20 Chairmanship: Jaishankar welcomed the appreciation of India’s G20 Chairmanship by President Dennis Francis and expressed confidence that it would contribute to the UN General Assembly’s discourse and deliberations. They also emphasized the importance of reforming multilateralism and supporting the Global South on crucial issues.
6. High-Level Engagement: These meetings underscore India’s active engagement at the global level, its commitment to sustainable development, and its role as a constructive partner in addressing global challenges and reforms in international institutions.

At the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), global challenges are discussed comprehensively as nations come together to address pressing issues that affect the world.

Some of the prominent global challenges discussed at UNGA sessions include:

• Climate Change: Climate change remains a top concern. Countries discuss commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to climate impacts, and the need for international cooperation to limit global warming to safe levels.
• Sustainable Development: The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a central theme. Nations evaluate progress towards achieving these goals, including poverty reduction, gender equality, and access to healthcare and education.
• Conflict and Peacekeeping: The UNGA addresses conflicts and crises worldwide. Discussions involve peacekeeping efforts, diplomatic solutions, and humanitarian aid for war-torn regions.
• Global Health: Health crises like pandemics (e.g., COVID-19) are significant topics. Access to vaccines, healthcare infrastructure, and disease prevention strategies are discussed.
• Human Rights: Issues related to human rights violations, discrimination, and justice are raised. Nations call for accountability and measures to protect vulnerable populations.
• Terrorism and Security: Counter-terrorism efforts and strategies to maintain global security are discussed. Nations collaborate to combat terrorism and extremism.
• Nuclear Disarmament: Nations emphasize the importance of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation to promote global peace and security.
• Trade and Economic Stability: Economic challenges, trade policies, and financial stability are debated to ensure equitable economic growth and development.
• Education: Access to quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all are highlighted as essential components of sustainable development.
• Biodiversity Loss: The preservation of biodiversity and ecosystems is addressed to combat species extinction and protect natural resources.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can assist the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in addressing global challenges, including:

• Informed Decision-Making: AI analyses data for informed decisions on issues like climate change, health crises, conflicts, money laundering, and terrorism.
• Predictive Analytics: AI predicts trends and crises, enabling proactive measures against disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and security threats.
• Global Health Monitoring: AI tracks disease outbreaks, vaccination progress, and health threats, offering early warnings and containment strategies.
• Climate Modelling: AI enhances understanding of climate change impacts, informing sustainable policies.
• Anti-Money Laundering: AI detects suspicious financial transactions, aiding in the fight against money laundering.
• Counterterrorism: AI supports counterterrorism efforts by analyzing data to identify potential threats.
• Humanitarian Aid: AI optimizes aid distribution for efficient crisis response.
• Resource Allocation: AI allocates resources effectively for disaster response, poverty alleviation, and security measures.
• Cybersecurity: AI enhances cybersecurity to protect UNGA infrastructure, data, and counter cyber threats.
• Energy Efficiency: AI optimizes energy usage, contributing to sustainability goals.

Sources: Hindustan Times

Mains Question

Discuss India’s priorities at UNGA meeting. What are major problems discuss there and how does India play a role in new global order? 250words.