India to push for development
India is all set to make a definitive and strong push for a development agenda that is meant not just for developing nations but one that will encompass developed countries too at the upcoming UN General Assembly (UNGA) session later in September.
India’s assertion of its viewpoint comes as the theme for debate at the 68th session of the UNGA slated to be held in new York from September 17 to October 2 is “Post-2015 Development Agenda: Setting the Stage”.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be travelling to New York to address the 68th session of UNGA on September 28.
Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday Navtej Sarna, additional secretary (International Organisations) in the ministry of external affairs said the report of a high-level panel set up by the UN Secretary General on the Post-2015 Development Agenda should be taken as a “good input” and should not be an “end result” as India has not got a chance to negotiate.
Stating that India was a “bit concerned” as it did not want the report to “Miss out on the concerns of developing countries” he added, “ we see an opening in the report in which we can push our agenda”. He also said the high-level panel’s report is a “good input but should not be the end result”.
He added, “ We don’t want the development agenda to be converted into a governance agenda.”
Hoping that an “inter-government process will be announced,” Mr Sarna said that India would like the focus to be on poverty eradication without any qualification.
Noting that a country like India wants the elimination of poverty, Mr Sarna said it does not want any qualification like poverty eradication and sustainable development or poverty eradication and climate change.
Mr Sarna also pitched for the setting up of an inter-governmental committee, as envisaged in the Rio+20 draft, consisting of 30 members, that will use resources and expertise of the United Nations and will also report to the General Assembly on ways to mobilise finance for developing countries.
The official further noted that the agenda of Rio+20 on sustainable development that aims at protecting the interest of the developing and poor nations should not be “chipped” away.
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