UN Assembly President commends India's digitalization efforts
The UN President announced the upcoming 'Sustainability Week' scheduled for Apr 15-19 at the UN headquarters
image for illustrative purpose
New Delhi: During an interview with PTI, UN General Assembly President Dennis Francis praised India's use of digitalization, emphasizing its potential for financial inclusion and poverty reduction. He highlighted India's comparative advantage in this area and suggested that its methods could benefit the global community. During his official visit to India from January 22-26, he engaged in discussions with government officials, civil society members, and think tanks on sustainability, multilateralism, accessibility, and digital public infrastructure.
Francis commended India's digitalization efforts, citing examples such as the empowerment of women and farmers across the country to conduct financial transactions and access services from their homes. He noted that digitalization contributes to productivity, cost efficiency, and competitiveness in the economy. Additionally, he was impressed by India's significant investments in infrastructure development, recognizing its potential to stimulate economic growth and create employment opportunities.
Highlighting the importance of sustainable infrastructure, Francis stressed its role in mitigating the impact of extreme climate events and promoting economic resilience. He emphasized the need for sustainable materials and methods in infrastructure development to minimize disruptions and facilitate quicker recovery from such events.
The UN President announced the upcoming 'Sustainability Week' scheduled for April 15-19 at the UN headquarters, focusing on critical sectors like tourism, infrastructure connectivity, transport, energy, and debt. This initiative aims to advance progress towards a sustainable future aligned with the 2030 Agenda, leading up to the Summit of the Future in September 2024.
Reflecting on India's progress, last year India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj highlighted the impact of financial inclusion on social and economic empowerment. She noted significant growth in digital payments, mobile phone ownership, and bank account access, indicating India's substantial advancements in these areas as of 2022.
