Madam Chairperson, 

We would like to congratulate you and the members of the Bureau as you guide the deliberations of this important Commission. 

We thank the Secretary General for the analytical Reports to this Commission. These are useful inputs to our discussions. 

Madam Chairperson, 

There is no dearth today of financial resources, scientific knowledge or technological solutions that can meet the challenges of providing affordable food, water, energy, healthcare, sanitation, housing and meeting other basic needs of the 8 billion people of the world.  

However, despite continuing efforts and significant success, chronic poverty continues to persist and disparities are even widening. 

At the same time, there is today a greater recognition of the multiple causes of disparities within societies and among nations. This in turn improves the approaches and tools to overcome these challenges. 

Madam Chairperson,

The vast majority of nations today are developing countries that suffered distortions of their economies and societies after being forced to serve the interests of and contributing to the prosperity of distant nations. 

In many cases, location, size, geography and geology have posed challenges in terms of availability of natural resources or access to energy, connectivity to markets or trade routes or investment. In other instances, institutional and governance challenges have continued to hold up inclusive growth and development. 

A large number of them still struggle to overcome their structural problems in an international environment that has been less than favourable to their interests. Access to short term financial assistance has, more often than not, been conditional. Conditions that have further disadvantaged their poorer sections, including farmers and those requiring public assistance. 

The benefits of globalization have been uneven and situations where profit-driven capitalism has advanced with little state regulation have widened large scale disparities. We are witnessing new divides of technology and skills within societies and among nations.  

The last couple of decades have witnessed technology-driven globalization speed up exponentially in multiple ways. Financial crises and economic cycles have become global, tying up job prospects across sectors and distant economies. While capital and goods move freely across borders, constraints on human mobility build pressure. Understanding of the climate connections has highlighted global impacts of economic choices. The shrinkage of global village is also felt deeply through the spread of terror networks or pandemics. 

At a national level, issues of livelihoods are inextricably linked with education, skills, economic opportunity, access to basic services, gender empowerment, good governance and social justice.

Madam Chairperson, 

The growing awareness of the inter-connectedness of the causes and impacts of poverty and inequality not only at a local level but at the global level, in fact, gives hope. 

There is understanding that in a world rife with conflicts, sustaining peace requires long term sustainable development that in turn must focus on eradicating poverty, especially extreme poverty. The Right to Development must gain more prominence. 

This spirit led in large measure to the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Paris Agreement and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. 

The SDG 17 recognizes the importance of building a genuine global partnership in an unequal world to help those requiring assistance not as charity but in the collective mutual interest.   

Madam Chairperson, 

The 2030 Agenda has helped sharpen the global attention on eradication of poverty and achieving sustainable development. This can only be achieved through sustained national efforts according to specific national contexts and requirements in an environment facilitated by the wider international community. 

Madam Chairperson, 

The Report of the Secretary General notes that one of ten persons globally still lives in poverty. This is a huge number. Almost 800 million. Nearly the population of the European Union and United States combined. Yet this represents a reduction of 1 billion from around 25 years ago. So considerable progress is being achieved, although relative poverty is increasing in the developed world. 

Madam Chairperson,

India, representing one sixth of humanity, is playing a significant part in the efforts to reduce poverty. The Indian government has placed sustainable development at the centre through the concept of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Together with all, Development for all. 

India is pushing ahead with a comprehensive set of policies aimed at eradicating poverty and promoting sustainable development. These are in line with the 2030 Agenda. 

The Report of the Secretary General notes some of these very large scale ongoing efforts in India in terms of the public expenditure in rural infrastructure, agricultural research, education and health. The Report also makes a mention of the Government run public work schemes that provide guaranteed employment to poor or agricultural labourers that has contributed to a significant reduction in poverty.  

A large percentage of the Indian population continues to be engaged in agriculture. There is a special emphasis on this sector with focus on improving agricultural productivity through a set of measures including improved irrigation, soil analysis, financing for farm inputs, access to crop insurance, access to markets including unified national market for agriculture commodities as an online trading platform. Remote sensing and digital communication are being put to use of the farmer. 

There is recognition of the importance of a comprehensive set of policies to address the various inter-connected challenges. These aim at improving social, financial and digital inclusion of the population. 

Efforts at financial inclusion and empowerment of the poor and the marginalized are achieving significant success. More than 250 million new bank accounts have been opened. More than 1.1 billion Indians have now been issued biometric-based Unique Identity cards. Major efforts are underway to use digital technology, online payments and mobile phones to provide e-governance services such as direct benefit transfers. This is aimed at increasing transparency and efficiency. Digital India programmes are expanding internet connectivity for enhanced access to information and services.    

The government is also investing significantly in the Skill India initiative to build capacities of the youth and these programmes are supplemented by schemes to promote manufacturing, entrepreneurship and innovation. 

There are other initiatives aimed at prioritizing inclusive and quality education with special emphasis on the girl child. Massive campaigns are underway to provide access to clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. 

Madam Chairperson, 

India is deeply cognizant of our collective responsibility and is working with fellow developing countries in expanding development partnership through capacity building and other forms of assistance to their own sustainable development efforts. 

Fairer and more representative structures of global governance are ever more essential to strengthening the global partnership to tackle these common challenges. 

The United Nations provides a unique platform for sharing of experience and expertise by all member states on a range of issues in a constructive manner. India has always engaged actively in such deliberations. 

This July, India will present its Voluntary National Review on the implementation of the SDGs at the High Level Political Forum that will focus on 'Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world'. We look forward to learning from our partners in this endeavour that is in the interest of all of us as we strive to make the world a better place. 

Thank you. 
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