India’s Permanent Representative (PR) to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj, claimed at the UN General Assembly that India strongly advocates for developing countries’ cause as G20 President.
Briefing the G77 countries (a coalition of 134 developing countries at the UN) on India’s G20 Presidency, Kamboj highlighted India’s focus on issues of the Global South, ranging from climate change and inclusive growth to debt treatment and digital public goods.
SDGs, Climate Change, and Financial Woes
Kamboj said that the G20 Theme of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: One Earth, One Family, One Future, reflected India’s intent to leave no one behind.
The PR highlighted the progress made by India as the G20 chair and said that the discussions around finance, debt stress and restructuring at the forum are vital for developing countries.
Addressing concerns around resources to tackle climate change, she said that the G20 ministers are discussing the role of multilateral financial institutions in encouraging private investment for SDGs.
Kamboj added that the debt agenda discussions have focused on strengthening multilateral coordination to address increasing debt distress in low-income and vulnerable middle-income countries.
“The IMF and World Bank agreed to work towards better information sharing at each stage of the debt restructuring process,” she remarked.
Today, I updated the #G77 on the priorities & perspectives of India’s G20 Presidency, with its focus on issues of the #GlobalSouth, from inclusive growth & climate finance to debt treatment & digital public goods. pic.twitter.com/juXOiEAEDe
— Ruchira Kamboj (@ruchirakamboj) May 10, 2023
Inclusivity in Global Public Health
The Indian PR to the UN further said that India and the Health Working Group are working on many health priorities.
She said India knows that the fragmentation of prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) for health emergencies leaves populations vulnerable. Therefore, this calls for integrating capacities to adopt the One Health approach at all levels.
Kamboj emphasised that India is using G20 to tackle the disproportionate access to pharmaceuticals and health care in low and middle-income countries.
She said that India aims to democratise technology, and has proposed to launch the G20 Global Initiative on Digital Health to converge efforts for digital health solutions.
Addressing the concerns of the G77 countries, Kamboj remarked, “India will place equity and inclusivity as the key features of the global public health system where no one is left behind.”