India's success in 2030 UN SDGs can change face of the world: UNGA President Maria Fernanda Espinosa

India's success in achieving Sustainable Development Goals can change face of world, UN General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espisa has said, describing country as a "very important player" of multilateral system.

Espisa said she is very much looking forward to engaging and working toger with India under her presidency of 193-member UN General Assembly.

"India is indeed a very important player of multilateral system. It is a friendly country to United Nations. If India succeeds in achievement of 2030 nda - we are talking about 1.3 billion people - this really can change face of world,'' she told PTI. 

Espisa, Ecuor's former Minister of Foreign Affairs, was in June elected president of 73rd session of UN General Assembly, becoming only fourth female president of organisation in its 73-year history. 

Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, veteran Indian diplomat and sister of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, was first woman to be elected president of General Assembly in as early as 1953. Later, Angie Elisabeth Brooks of Liberia was elected president in 1969 and Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa of Bahrain in 2006.

Before assuming office as UNGA president, Espisa h visited India and h held meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Recalling her visit to India, she said she was touched to see how Sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs) were being implemented on ground in country. 

During visit, she h met NGOs and groups of young people from disvantd neighborhoods and said it was heartening to see m organising ir communities using SDGs as a framework.

Lauding India's efforts in various aspects of UN system, she said India is a very strong contributor of troops for UN peacekeeping operations. "It is very important also to set standards on issues of involvement of women in peacekeeping, zero tolerance to any abuse or violence against women peacekeepers and against women and girls in general in conflict situations,'' she said.

Espisa also congratulated Prime Minister Modi for being conferred with United Nations' highest environmental hour, 'UNEP Champions of Earth' award, recognising his leership of International Solar Alliance as well as his pledge to eliminate all single-use plastic in India by 2022.   

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"I was very happy to see award given to India and Prime Minister Modi for his environmental work and to look at every strong commitment of India towards renewable energy. y are really very important players for climate nda as well," she said.

Despite se opportunities, India also faces several challenges in areas of sanitation and urbanisation, she said when asked about what challenges she sees for country.

Given that India is a highly populated country, issue of balance between rural and urban areas, access to services are major challenges, she said ding that "if you have political will, if you have proper planning, you are committed n challenge becomes an opportunity."

"I see that things are happening in a very positive way. favourable conditions are a very dynamic and active civil society engment, vibrant democracy, strong participation of people, engd citizens are conditions you need to make a difference and conditions are re in India", she said.

She furr said that historically India has h a vibrant civil society and strong democracy and "se are contributions that India" can make to multilateral system.

On India's role at UN and expectations from country going forward, she said contributions that India can make are huge. "I am really very much looking forward to working on all my seven priorities with India. I see India as a country of hope and potential as well, she said. 

Espisa has listed revitalisation of UN, equality, youth, peace and security, migration and refugees, environmental action, decent and meaningful employment and commitment towards persons with disabilities as her key priorities in GA session.

Last week, commemorating International Day of n-violence, celebrated across world on Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary, Espisa h said that legacy of Mahatma has proven most durable and enduring and h voiced her commitment to peace and security and representing ideals and principles of Gandhi in current UNGA session.

She said n-violence is t only a philosophy but it can be translated into political action. peaceful settlement of disputes, fostering of dialogue, generosity to understand divergent perspective on issues is extremely important, she ded.

" only way to be a peaceful world is using philosophy of nviolence from Gandhi and translate it into political action and commitment. Humility and generosity are universal values but at same time, y are so important to dress challenges that we all face, to dress refugee situation, specific conflicts around world", she said.   

"Sometimes we feel that nviolence is n-action. On contrary, n-violence can be translated into very strong political action and commitment. se principles are so important and we owe that to legacy of Gandhi", she ded. 

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