PM Modi's participation in two debates to be 'highlight' of upcoming UNGA session

India's Permanent Representative to United Nations TS Tirumurti on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would participate in two debates at "historic" United Nations General Assembly session this year, beginning from September 21.

"This time, UN General Assembly will be historic and in more than one way. As far as India is concerned, highlight will be participation of PM Modi in two debates in high-level segments starting on Monday," TS Tirumuti told ANI.

first event is a general debate where Prime Minister will represent India at UN and deliver national statement. second event is high-level plenary meeting to commemorate 75th anniversary of UN. "PM Modi’s dress will certainly be highlight of our participation in UNGA," Tirumurti remarked.

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me of UN General Assembly session is: ' Future We Want, UN We Need'. diplomat said this year’s me "reaffirms India’s collective commitment to multilateralism, confronting COVID-19 through effective multilateral actions".

Tirumurti also said UN General Assembly session will be different this year from all previous seasons as world is battling COVID-19 pandemic. In light of travel restrictions, most leers will t go to New York and high-level debate will be conducted virtually.

"World leers will be delivering ir national statements through pre-recorded videos. hall of General Assembly will t be empty. One representative per delegation will be allowed in General Assembly hall. If y wish, y can introduce video of ir respective hes of state or government," he said. 

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Javekar to participate in biodiversity summit

diplomat also said that UN will be organising its first biodiversity summit virtually on September 30 with me -- 'Urgent action on biodiversity for sustainable development'. Environment Minister Prakash Javekar will represent India in this summit. TS Tirumurti stressed that India is one of 10 largest biodiverse countries in world, with a leing role in field of biodiversity.

"India recently held Conference of Parties of Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals in February this year. We h also organised Conference of Parties to UN Convention to Combat Desertification in September last year in Delhi, which saw option of ambitious Delhi Declaration," he said.

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Smriti Irani to participate in World Conference on Women

TS Tirumurti also informed that an important event will be held on October 1 to commemorate 25th anniversary of World Conference on Women and option of Beijing Platform for action, which is "widely ackwledged as most comprehensive plan for vancing rights of women and girls". Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani will be attending event underlining India's strong commitment to women empowerment and sensitivity.

Furrmore, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be participating in some of ministerial meetings which will be held on sidelines of UN General Assembly, said Tirumurti.

"On October 2, UN will be holding International Day for Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla will be delivering India's remarks at this event," he said.

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(Im credits: AP)