IBSA Fund Annual Report Launch

2 June, 2023 (3.00 to 3.30 PM at CR2 UNHQ)

Remarks by Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj

Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations

------

Dear colleagues,

          I am happy to join the launch of the IBSA Fund Annual Report for 2022 along with my colleagues from Brazil and South Africa. I thank the UNOSSC for taking this initiative. 

2. It is heartening to note that since it became operational in 2006, the IBSA Fund has supported 42 projects across 36 countries allocating $ 46.5 million. These projects, I must say, have transformed people’s lives in places such as in the Palestine, Guinea-Bissau and Cabo Verde.

3. South-South cooperation is built on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and shared development. It recognizes that every nation, regardless of its economic status, has unique experiences, knowledge, and expertise to contribute. Successive IBSA Declarations have derived strength from these principles.

4. India, a nation rich in diversity, history, and cultural heritage, has emerged as a prominent advocate and participant in the realm of South-South cooperation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a ‘One Earth One Health’ approach underlines our continuing commitment to the global South.

5. 2022 marked 75 years of India’s partnership with the United Nations. Given India’s foundational belief that our own development is inseparable from that of the rest of the world, we continue to partner with the UN and its agencies in elevating South-South and triangular cooperation. The India-UN Development Partnership Fund, a first-ever single-country South-South initiative at the UN has developed a portfolio of 66 development projects in partnership with 51 developing countries in a short span of 5 years. 

6. India’s commitment to development cooperation, which focuses on LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS, been expanded considerably in recent years. Over 300 concessional Lines of Credit worth over US$ 31  billion  have  been  extended, while a number of grant-in-aid projects, aggregating around US$ 4 billion have been implemented in key social and infrastructure sectors.  The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme has offered scholarships for training courses on a broad range of subjects to over 160 countries.

7. In closing, I will say that I am sure that the IBSA Fund will continue to strengthen the spirit of South-South cooperation that is people-centric, demand driven and directly benefits communities that are the most vulnerable.

Thank you!