New Delhi: India on Friday called for a reformed multilateralism at the UNSC and urged for a collaborative effort of the member states for a renewal of vows towards a reformed UN-centered multilateral system.
Addressing a high-level meeting at the UNSC on the topic - "Maintenance of international peace and security: Upholding multilateralism and the United Nations-centered international system", Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, said, "India believes that a renewal of vows towards a reformed UN-centered multilateral system will require genuine efforts on behalf of all Member States. For its part, India has always sought to strengthen the forces of cooperative multilateralism".
The high-level meeting was chaired by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as the nation takes over as the rotating UNSC President this month.
"Several contemporary global challenges have come to the fore such as terrorism, radicalism, pandemics, climate change, threats from new and emerging technologies, growing asymmetric threats, the disruptive role of non-state actors and the intensifying geopolitical competition, all of which call for a robust multilateral response", Shringla added.
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Pointing out that while the UN has addressed most of these issues somewhat partially and intermittently, Shringla added that the collective effort has nonetheless fallen short in providing effective and enduring solutions, particularly due to the infirmities within the multilateral system.
He said that 2021 is a watershed moment in the history of the world, providing a timely opportunity to reflect on the effectiveness of the UN in achieving the goals and objectives that its founders had set out 75 years ago.
Appreciating the UN’s effort in maintaining international peace and security and upholding international law, Foreign Secretary Shringla said that the UN today is the most universal and representative international organisation.
"The UN has been credited with largely keeping the peace over the last seven and a half decades and for contributing in many ways to the betterment of the lives of the world’s humanity. At the same time, it has been found wanting in its ability to garner a concerted response to tackle the world’s most complex challenges", he reiterated.
Further reflecting on the importance of relaxing the norms of the TRIPS agreement, Shringla said, "This waiver will be an important step for enabling the rapid scaling up of manufacture and timely availability of affordable Covid-19 vaccines and essential medical products on a global basis".
It is worth noting that India has consistently worked with South Africa and other partners in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to seek relaxation in the norms of the TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) agreement to ensure quick and affordable access to vaccines and medicines for developing countries during the Covid pandemic.
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The United States on Wednesday announced to support the waiving of patent protection rules on Covid vaccines. India appreciated the US decision on the same.
He strongly highlighted that the multitude of challenges of today’s dynamic and interdependent world cannot be addressed with outdated systems that were designed to deal with the challenges of the past.
Underlining that the Covid-19 pandemic has sharpened awareness of the depth of global interdependence, and on the fact that the world is only as resilient as the least resilient country, Shringla said, “The events of the past year have demonstrated how imperative it is for all countries to coordinate responses to the various challenges that the pandemic has brought to the fore".
It is the lack of a coordinated global response that has exposed the vulnerabilities and weaknesses of the multilateral system as it stands today, providing a timely reminder of the pressing need for comprehensive reform. While the pandemic exposed the fault lines from unreliable global supply chains to inequitable vaccine distribution, it has also underlined the need for global solidarity and strengthened multilateralism, he added.
Reiterating India’s call for reformed multilateralism, Shringla said that as a founding member of the UN, India has consistently displayed its commitment to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. "We remain committed to upholding the rules-based international order, underpinned by international law, premised upon respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all Member States, resolution of international disputes through peaceful negotiations and free and open access for all to the global commons", he points out.
"India stood at the forefront during the UN's tumultuous years of struggle against colonialism and apartheid. During our eight terms as a member of the Security Council, we have always endeavoured to be a voice of reason and understanding, a voice of the underrepresented developing word, a bridge-builder for narrowing divides and fostering consensus", he further highlighted at the council.
Nonetheless, India has contributed immensely to maintaining international peace and security as a leading troop-contributing country towards UN Peacekeeping Missions, having sacrificed the highest number of lives in this noble endeavour.
India at the UNSC also extended deep appreciation to those that have come forward to provide with some priority requirements to battle the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic that the nation is currently facing. Over the past year alone, India has provided Covid-19 vaccines, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment to more than 150 countries across the world.
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