78th United Nations General Assembly

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• What is United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)?
• General debate of UNGA
• 78th UNGA
• News Summary: UNGA 78 - EAM S Jaishankar highlights India's pursuit in global well-being
• Key highlights of the speech delivered by EAM Jaishankar at 78th UNGA

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.

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.

Q1) What are the principal organs of the United Nations?

The United Nations (UN) has six main organs. Five of them — the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, the Trusteeship Council and the Secretariat — are based at UN Headquarters in New York. The sixth, the International Court of Justice, is located at The Hague in the Netherlands.

Q2) What was the theme of G20 Summit 2023?

The theme of the 2023 G20 Summit was “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth, One Family, One Future”. The theme was inspired by the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad, which highlights the value of all life forms. The theme also exemplifies LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), which emphasizes the importance of environmentally sustainable choices.

Source: S Jaishankar on terrorism, G20 summit, ‘today’s Bharat’: 10 points from UNGA address | UN | MEA |Times of India