Why in news?

• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the 78th UN General Assembly.
• In his opening remark, Jaishankar said, Namaste from Bharat! Our fullest support to this UNGA's theme of rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity.

What’s in today’s article?

• UNGA (About, Key decisions taken by UNGA, Achievements, General debate)
• Key highlights of the speech

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)

• About
  • It was established in 1945 under the Charter of the United Nations and is headquartered in New York City.
  • It is one of the six principal organs of the UN and serves as the main policy-making organ of the Organization.
  • It provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter of the United Nations.
  • Each Member States of the United Nations has an equal vote.
• key decisions
  • The UNGA also makes key decisions for the UN, including:
    • appointing the Secretary-General on the recommendation of the Security Council
    • electing the non-permanent members of the Security Council
    • approving the UN budget
• Some of the important achievements of UNGA
  • Millennium Declaration, adopted in 2000
  • The 2005 World Summit Outcome Document
  • 17 Sustainable Development Goals formulated in September 2015

General debate of UNGA

• The Assembly’s annual general debate provides Member States the opportunity to express their views on major international issues.
• On this occasion, the Secretary-General presents on the opening day of the debate his report on the work of the Organization.

78^th UNGA

• About
  • UNGA held its 78th annual gathering from September 18–26, 2023.
  • S Jaishankar led the Indian delegation at the assembly.
• President
  • Dennis Francis of Trinidad and Tobago was elected by acclamation.
  • In accordance with the established regional rotation, the President of the 78^thsession of the UNGA was to be elected from the Latin American and Caribbean States.
• Theme of the 78th UNGA
  • “Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all”

News Summary: Key highlights of the speech delivered by EAM Jaishankar

• Veiled attack at Canada
  • He underlined that political convenience cannot determine responses to terrorism, extremism and violence.
• Highlighted various forms of injustices
  • We must never again allow an injustice like vaccine apartheid to recur.
  • Climate action too cannot continue to witness an evasion of historical responsibilities.
  • The power of markets should not be utilized to steer food and energy from the needy to the wealthy.
• Respect for territorial integrity and non-interference in internal affairs cannot be exercises in cherry picking.
  • When reality departs from rhetoric, we must have the courage to call it out.
• Raised the issue of UN reform
  • At India’s initiative, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.
    • By doing so, India gave voice to an entire continent that has long been denied its due.
  • This significant step in reform should inspire the United Nations, a much older organization, to also make the Security Council contemporary.
    • Broad representation is a pre-requisite for both effectiveness and credibility.
• India’s G20 Presidency
• It was with a sense of exceptional responsibility India took up the presidency of G20.
• Our vision of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ sought to focus on the key concerns of the many and not just the narrow interests of the few.
• This vision sought to bridge divides and sow seeds of collaboration.
• At a time when North-South divide is deep–the Delhi Summit affirms that diplomacy and dialogue is the only way forward, and those days, when a few nations used to set agenda are over.
• Cooperation with diverse partners
  • India also seeks to promote cooperation with diverse partners.
  • From the era of non-alignment, we have now evolved to that of ‘Vishwa Mitra – a friend to the world.
  • This is reflected in our ability and willingness to engage with a broad range of nations and where necessary harmonise interests.
  • It is visible in the rapid growth of the QUAD; it is equally apparent in the expansion of the BRICS grouping or emergence of I2U2.
• India, that is Bharat - civilisational polity embracing modernity
  • I speak for a society where ancient traditions of democracy have struck deep modern roots. As a result, our thinking, approaches and actions are now more grounded and authentic.
  • As a civilisational polity that embraces modernity, we bring both tradition and technology equally confidently to the table.
  • It is this fusion that today defines India, that is Bharat.