Top News
UNSC reform text should represent universal views: India
By Arul Louis
United Nations, Feb 2 (IANS) India has said that the various options and differing views of nations on Security Council reform should be presented in a negotiating text and no one should insist that their submissions must take precedence over others.
“The first principle of multilateralism is equality,” India’s Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin told the Inter-Governmental Negotiaions (IGN) on Council reforms.
The IGN’s two-day session began on Thursday. “What we are suggesting is equal opportunities for everybody to present their options in a document,” Akbaruddin said.
No one can “ask that my submission of principles should be discussed first and then only rest follows,” he said.
“Opposition to a certain position is normal and indeed democratic,” Akbaruddin said. But “opposition to normalising the process (of negotiating) is not.
“Allowing drift in terms of normalising the process endangers the legitimacy and credibility of this mechanism and the General Assembly itself.”
The IGN process has been stuck for at least a decade at the preliminary step of trying to come up with a negotiating text that would be the basis for discussions.
The principle opposition to the adoption of a negotiating text comes from a group of countries known as Uniting for Consensus, which is led by Italy and includes Pakistan.
They contend that unless there is consensus on reforms, there cannot be negotiating text.
A negotiating “document will provide clarity to where we stand, what are the options, who is proposing what and what are the inter-linkages,” Akbaruddin.
“Documenting positions in a holistic and transparent manner is what we seek from you as the way forward.”
The current IGN co-chairs, Permanent Representatives Lana Zaki Nusseibeh of the UAE and Kaha Imnadze of Georgia, would achieve a breakthrough if they could produce such a document, which their predecessors have failed to do.
Akbaruddin said they should produce an “inclusive and holistic document for our transparent consideration so that we can involve in negotiations on it”.
“It is not our case that the document that you prepare needs to have only one option,” he said. “It can have, in every cluster, every option that can be distilled.”
Akbaruddin said that there was consensus on the need for reform but it has not translated into action because of the lack of a rolling document that records the views expressed in each of the sessions and carries them on as the basis for negotiations.
The Framework document produced by Courtenay Rattray, who was the IGN chair during 2014-15, was believed by many to have the potential to be the negotiating text. But after he left the position, the momentum was lost.
The co-chairs, Khalid Khiari and Ion Jinga, prepared a paper listing the commonalities and issues for further consideration for reform, Akbaruddin said.
Its shortcomings in not adequately reflecting the views of the African nations can be rectified, he said.
“The document that you present needs to reflect principles that some delegation or the other find important to reflect as an option for others to consider,” he told the current co-chairs.
(Arul Louis can be reached at [email protected])
–IANS
al/in/vm
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
Cheers and Cheers: Barzilla’s Joyful Ode to Inclusivity and Celebration
Casino Days Reveal Internal Data on Most Popular Smartphones
Meghalaya Reserves Legalized Gambling and Sports Betting for Tourists
IPL 20202 UPDATE: KXIP vs MI IPL Dream11 Team Prediction for Today Match, Update Point Table of all Team.
In a Live debate AAP leader Syed Asad Abbas hurls abuses to BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
‘India’s Most Wanted’ trailer out Arjun Kapoor on hunt of Osama-Bin-Laden
Time to move on: Sonakshi on Shatrughan’s joining Congress
