United Nations Security Council Open Debate on "Maintenance of International Peace and Security: Advancing Public-Private Humanitarian Partnership"

[14 September 2023]

Statement by Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj

Permanent Representative of India to the UN

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Thank you, Mr. President, for convening this crucial Open Debate.

Mr. President,

2. Maintaining international peace and security is a fundamental goal outlined in the United Nations Charter. However, in our increasingly interconnected world, persistent conflicts, along with the challenge of terrorism, have led to immense human suffering. Traditional diplomatic and military approaches alone are no longer adequate to address the complex challenges that threaten global stability today.

3. So, what is the path forward? To tackle these challenges effectively, there is a growing necessity to foster stronger public-private humanitarian partnerships. These partnerships represent a progressive approach to addressing global peace and security challenges by providing a unique platform for collaboration among governments, NGOs, civil society, and private sector entities.

4. Such approaches harness the respective strengths of each sector to address complex security challenges. Governments provide the legal and regulatory framework, NGOs and civil society contribute expertise in conflict resolution and humanitarian aid, while the private sector offers resources, technology, and innovation.

5. However, despite these advantages, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) also face several challenges. For the private sector, a potential challenge may be an inherent conflict of interest driven by profit motives, which could inadvertently prioritize economic gain over genuine security concerns, leading to ethical dilemmas.

6. Another challenge involves ensuring accountability and transparency within PPPs. Governments must ensure that private sector partners adhere to ethical standards and do not compromise human rights in the pursuit of security goals. This necessitates robust monitoring mechanisms and clear accountability frameworks.

7. Public-Private Partnerships hold great potential for innovative solutions and efficient resource allocation. However, it is essential to strike the right balance between interests, maintain ethical standards, and ensure accountability as a prerequisite for the effectiveness of these partnerships.

Mr. President,

8. India has been a proponent of public-private partnerships in humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR) operations. To this end, the National Disaster Management Agency of India has collaborated with multiple stakeholders to leverage their strengths, resources, and capacities to effectively address challenges in disaster management. During natural disasters, PPPs have proven highly effective in mobilizing resources, providing financial support, technology, essential supplies, and even manpower.

9. Allow me to provide an example, Mr. President: Cyclone Fani. This cyclone, one of the most severe storms to hit the Indian subcontinent in 2019, serves as a testament to the effectiveness of PPPs working in coordination. Our Provincial Government Disaster Management Authority partnered with local businesses, including telecommunications companies, logistics providers, and food suppliers, to mitigate the impact of the cyclone and protect hundreds of lives and properties. Such collaboration facilitated the rapid deployment of rescue teams, communication infrastructure, and essential supplies to affected areas.

10. Mr. President, as I conclude, I wish to emphasize that India has consistently been a reliable "first responder" in humanitarian and disaster relief situations. Whether it was Operation Kaveri in Sudan, Operation Dost in Turkey, Operation Ganga in Ukraine, Operation Shakti in Afghanistan, or even Operation Rahat in Yemen, we have worked seamlessly with multiple stakeholders on the ground to ensure early relief and recovery. Our actions are rooted in the ethos that views the world as one vast family. This human-centric development paradigm will remain our guiding principle in the future.

Thank you!