PM's opening remarks at the Inaugural Leaders' Session of the Voice of Global South Summit 3.0

Your Highness,

Excellencies,

Namaskar!

On behalf of 140 crore Indians, a hearty welcome to all of you to the Third Voice of Global South Summit.

Over the past two Summits, I have had the opportunity to work closely with many of you.

I am very happy that this year, after the general elections in India, I am getting the opportunity to connect with you all on this platform once again.

Friends,

In 2022, when India takes over the G-20 Presidency, we resolved that we will give a new shape to the G-20.

The Voice of Global South Summit became a platform where we openly discussed problems and priorities related to development.

And India designed the G-20 agenda based on the hopes, aspirations and priorities of the Global South.

Led the G-20 forward with an inclusive and development-focused approach.

The biggest example of this was the historic moment when the African Union assumed permanent membership in the G-20.

Friends,

Today we are meeting at a time when there is an atmosphere of uncertainty all around.

The world has not yet completely come out of the impact of Covid.

On the other hand, the war situation has posed challenges to our development journey.

We are already facing the challenges of climate change, and now there are also concerns about health security, food security, and energy security.

Terrorism, extremism and separatism continue to pose serious threats to our societies.

The technology divide and new economic and social challenges related to technology are also emerging.

The global governance and financial institutions built in the last century have been unable to fight the challenges of this century.

Friends,

It is the need of the hour that the countries of the Global South unite, stand together in one voice and become each other's strength.

Let us learn from each other's experiences.

Share your abilities.

Together, let's take our resolutions to fruition.

Together, let us get recognition for two-thirds of humanity.

And India is committed to sharing its experiences, its capabilities with all the countries of the Global South.

We want to promote mutual trade, inclusive growth, advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, and women-led development.

Over the past few years, our mutual cooperation has been boosted by infrastructure, digital and energy connectivity.

Under Mission LiFE, we are prioritizing roof-top solar and renewable power generation not only in India but also in partner countries.

We have shared our experience on financial inclusion, and last mile delivery.

An initiative has been taken to connect various countries of the Global South with Unified Payments Interface, i.e. UPI.

There has been significant progress in our partnership in the areas of education, capacity building and skilling.

Last year the Global South Young Diplomat Forum was also launched.

And, 'South' i.e. Global South Excellence Centre, is working on Capacity Building, Skilling and knowledge sharing among us.

Friends,

The contribution of Digital Public Infrastructure, i.e. DPI, in inclusive development is no less than a revolution.

The Global DPI Repository, created under our G-20 Presidency, was the first ever multilateral consensus on DPI.

We are pleased that agreements to share the “India Stack” have been reached with 12 partners from the Global South.

To accelerate DPI in the Global South, we have created the Social Impact Fund.

India will make an initial contribution of $25 million.

Friends,

Our mission for health security is – One World-One Health.

And our vision is - "Arogya Maitri" i.e. "Friendship for Health”.

We have sustained this friendship by providing hospitals, dialysis machines, life-saving medicines and Jan Aushadhi Centres in African and Pacific Island countries.

In times of humanitarian crisis, India is helping its friendly countries as a first responder.

Be it a volcanic eruption in Papua New Guinea or a flood in Kenya.

We have also provided humanitarian assistance in conflict areas such as Gaza and Ukraine.

Friends,

The Voice of Global South Summit is a platform where we are giving voice to the needs and aspirations of those who have so far been unheard.

I believe that our strength lies in our unity, and with the power of this unity we will move towards a new direction.

The Summit of the Future is being held in the UN next month. The Pact for the Future is being discussed in this summit.

Can we all together take a positive approach so that the voice of the Global South is raised in this pact?

With these thoughts, I conclude.

Now I'm looking forward to hearing what you all think.

Thank you very much.