India and the United Nations have unveiled a collaborative endeavor known as the “India-UN Capacity Building Initiative.” This ambitious initiative aims to facilitate the exchange of India’s wealth of developmental experiences, best practices, and expertise with partner nations in the Global South through an array of capacity-building and training programs. The United Nations issued an official statement detailing this initiative.
The official announcement of this initiative took place at an event titled “India-UN for the Global South–Delivering for Development,” held in New York on 23 September 2023. The event was graced by the presence of India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar.
The event also witnessed the participation of several prominent figures, including Dennis Francis, President of the 78th General Assembly, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, Prime Minister of Samoa, Tandi Dorji, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bhutan, Vince Henderson, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Business, Trade, and Energy, Dominica, Hugh Hilton Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Guyana.
Further attendees included Maneesh Gobin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mauritius, Alva Romanus Baptiste, Minister for External Affairs, International Trade, Civil Aviation, and Diaspora Affairs, St. Lucia, Ahmed Khaleel, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Maldives, Achim Steiner, Administrator, UNDP, Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Commissioner for India.
The “India-UN Capacity Building Initiative” is a natural extension of India’s extensive history of bilateral cooperation in development and capacity-building with its partner nations.
This collaborative endeavor further complements the India-UN partnership represented by the “India-UN Development Partnership Fund.” Over the past six years, this partnership has successfully overseen the implementation of 75 development projects in 61 countries.
As a significant component of this initiative, the UN India team will collaborate with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to leverage India’s Technical and Economic Cooperation platform. This partnership aims to disseminate India’s developmental insights and best practices worldwide.
A Joint Declaration of Intent was formally exchanged between the UN Resident Coordinator in India and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to formalize this collaborative effort.
The initiative will actively facilitate the realization of India’s G20 Presidency’s development-oriented objectives. These objectives encompass advancing progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), technological transformation, and the establishment of Digital Public Infrastructure, among other key initiatives.
The United Nations recognizes this initiative as a significant contribution to global endeavors aimed at accelerating progress towards achieving the SDGs. It underscores India’s unwavering commitment to strengthening development partnerships with the nations of the Global South.
Furthermore, this initiative carries forward the legacy of India’s successful G20 Presidency. During India’s term, the voices of the Global South were incorporated into the G20’s agenda, and the African Union was welcomed into the group.
By ANI
