General Assembly General Assembly

Remarks by Amb.T.S. Tirumurti, Permanent Representative of India to the UN at

UN Day for South-South Cooperation

 

“Solidarity in support of a more Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Future”

 

10 September, 2021

 

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

I appreciate the UN Office for South-South Cooperation for organizing today’s event.  I would like to place on record my deep appreciation for the UN Office for South South Cooperation for their commitment to the global south. It is an important time to commemorate the strength of the Global South.

 

COVID-19 has led us to this new normal – where we have devised innovative ways to work together and develop solutions to build back better. But a lot remains to be done.

 

The COVID crisis has forced us to rethink our priorities and purpose. Realizing that the Global South has been mostly left to fend for itself during the pandemic, South-South Cooperation has become even more crucial. India is and will continue to do its best in furthering this.

 

Excellencies,

 

India came to the forefront in the call for joint global action to address COVID-19. Prime Minister Modi’s call for "One Earth One Health” approach underlines our continuing commitment, already evident in the supply of medicines to 150 countries and vaccines to many nations in the developing world. On the other hand, the outpouring of goodwill from our friends as Covid’s second wave hit India was reassuring.

 

The Government also decided to share with the world, India-developed Co-WIN App in order to help countries better organize their vaccination drive. Over 50 countries, many from Global South have shown interest.

 

An effort worth highlighting has been the US$ 150 million India-UN Development Partnership Fund, managed by UNOSSC that continues to support South-owned and South-led sustainable development projects with a focus on LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS. In four years, the Fund has a portfolio of 66 projects in 52 countries. As part of Covid response, the India-UNDP Fund has commissioned projects in 15 countries ranging from Antigua & Barbuda in the Caribbean to Palau in the South Pacific.

 

Another unique mechanism demonstrating the relevance and vitality of South-South Cooperation is the India-Brazil-South Africa Fund - also hosted at the UNOSSC. Since its inception, it has disbursed about US$ 40 million, supporting 35 development projects in 31 countries, a majority of them in LDCs.

 

Excellencies,

 

The unique tradition of promoting South-South cooperation can provide a way out as societies look to rebuild and regenerate in the wake of this crisis. While it is the primary responsibility of Governments to implement the 2030 Agenda, the United Nations must continue to play a central role in supporting as well as effectively coordinating the global response to achieve an Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable recovery from COVID-19.

 

Thank you for your attention.