India asks rich nations to keep their promises to spur growth

UNITED NATIONS - India has called upon rich nations to urgently fulfil their commitment to provide more funds, transfer technology and undertake capacity building in developing countries to spur international development.

“The lack of progress on building a robust global partnership needs to be urgently addressed,” Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said while addressing a special UN general assembly session on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Noting that “unmet financial commitments by developed country partners have widened the financing for development gap”, Krishna called upon them to fulfil the long made 0.7 percent of Gross National Income commitment.

“Equally urgent is the need to transfer technology and undertake capacity building in developing countries.”

“The quantum leap in South-South Cooperation has significantly complemented global resources targeted at development agenda, but it cannot be a substitute for the North-South cooperation,” Krishna said.

Citing Mahatma Gandhi’s conviction that “a small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history”, Krishna said: “In the final march towards the attainment of the MDG, let us be inspired by the belief of Mahatma Gandhi in the limitless potential of human achievement.”

“This should be the driving force for nations across the world and to this we dedicate ourselves,” he said noting, “The Millennium Development Goals that we have set for ourselves cannot be met unless governments are pro-active.

“No government in any civilised society can ignore the basic needs of people. The goal of the development process must be to include every last member of our society in that process”.

“With just five years to go for the MDG target year and our record of mixed success, it is imperative that we significantly step up our individual and collective commitments and efforts for the realisation of the MDGs,” he said.

The world’s collective efforts have certainly borne fruit on the goal of poverty eradication at the global level, Krishna said. More than 60 million people, he noted, slipped back into poverty in 2009 following the economic and financial crisis of 2008.

“It is, therefore, important that we ensure that global economic recovery is durable, balanced and sustainable,” he said. “This is also critical for achieving the MDGs and for us to be able to effectively address the challenges of food and energy security, climate change and natural disasters.”

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)