Outgoing President of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis, has lauded India’s leadership role at the United Nations, describing the nation as a strong advocate for multilateralism. In an exclusive interview with PTI, Francis highlighted India’s unwavering commitment to multilateralism, a value deeply cherished by the UN. He anticipates that India’s role in global affairs will only continue to grow stronger, particularly in light of its ambition to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council. Francis acknowledged that the process of Security Council reform, including the selection of permanent members, would ultimately be decided by member states, but he believes India’s position as a democracy with a population of 1.4 billion people makes it a strong contender. He envisions a continued and significant contribution from India in shaping the future of international affairs.
Beyond its potential role in the Security Council, Francis highlighted India’s active engagement in South-South cooperation. India, as an advanced developing country, has demonstrated a strong commitment to sharing its expertise with other developing nations, particularly in the realm of digitalization and technology. This approach, Francis emphasized, is highly commendable and aligns with the UN’s goals of fostering economic development. He believes India’s experience in digitalization, which has proven effective in alleviating poverty and bringing millions into the formal economic system, offers valuable lessons for other countries.
Francis’s positive assessment of India’s role in the UN stems from his personal experience. During his tenure as General Assembly President, he visited India in January 2023, engaging with government officials, civil society, and think tanks on issues like sustainability, multilateralism, accessibility, and digital public infrastructure. His discussions highlighted the importance of digital public infrastructure as a key enabler for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The incoming UN Ambassador for India, Parvathaneni Harish, recently met with Francis, praising his insights on various issues of mutual interest and expressing appreciation for the General Assembly’s support to India during Francis’s presidency. In their meeting, they discussed the current state of global peace and security, the Summit of the Future, the role of technology in economic development, and the situation in Gaza, among other topics. Both agreed on the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza and the importance of regional and global actors working together to resolve the conflict.
As the world prepares for the UN’s landmark ‘Summit of the Future’ on September 22-23, followed by the UN General Assembly high-level week, Francis expressed hope that leaders will be able to issue the ‘Pact of the Future’, a document designed to revitalize the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals, address critical global challenges like climate change and nuclear disarmament, and reassert the value of multilateralism. In his view, the Summit presents a crucial opportunity to demonstrate the continued relevance and effectiveness of multilateralism in tackling global issues and promoting sustainable development.
Francis emphasized the importance of addressing the rising nuclear tensions that pose a significant threat to global security. He stressed the need for a collective effort to ensure peace and stability in a world facing complex geopolitical challenges. The ‘Pact for the Future’ will include a Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations, underscoring the importance of digitalization and intergenerational equity in achieving a more sustainable and equitable future.
