Statement by India at the 19^th Meeting of the Council of Representatives of the South Centre, delivered by Ambassador Mr. Rajiv K. Chander, Permanent Representative. [Geneva, 12^th of April 2018]

Chairperson, H.E. President Benjamin Mkapa, Convenor of the Council Ambassador Dr. Abdul Minty, Executive Director Mr. Martin Khor, Distinguished Colleagues,

First of all, we would like to thank H.E. President Benjamin Mkapa for his inspiring leadership during the past decade which has seen the South Centre successfully adapt itself to the challenges of a fast changing global environment.  His stature and wise counsel have been instrumental in the consolidation of the South Centre as a premier institution addressing the issues of concern to the Global South. 

2. We congratulate and welcome H.E. President Thabo Mbeki on assuming the chairmanship and we are indeed fortunate to have a leader of his standing at the helm at the South Centre.  India would like to assure him of our fullest support in furthering the cause of the developing world. 

3. We would also like to thank the Executive Director Mr. Martin Khor for presenting a comprehensive overview of the activities of the South Centre in the past year.  India would like to express its appreciation for the commendable work done by the South Centre in furthering the interests of the developing countries in the multilateral arena in a professional and meticulous manner.

4. We would like to thank the Convenor, Ambassador Dr. Abdul Minty for his leadership and for guiding the work of the Council of Representatives.  We also thank him for agreeing to carry on in his responsible role for one more year. 

5. We would like to acknowledge the presence of Board Member Dr. Y.V. Reddy, whom India was fortunate to have as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India during the turbulent years of the global financial crisis.  He brings to the benefit of the Centre his years of vast and rich experience in public service and academic life.  We congratulate Dr. Reddy on his re-appointment and look forward to his valuable contribution in the coming years as well. 

6. Today, we are all witnessing an ever dynamic and difficult to predict, political and economic landscape in the world order. A number of developed countries from the Global North are also facing challenges that have a bearing on the global economic order. The adverse impact of such a volatile landscape is already beginning to manifest itself.

7. The present global scenario should motivate us even more in the developing South to continue to work together towards an inclusive, stable and sustainable global system. The role of the South Centre assumes immense importance in this context.

8. Mr. Convenor, India firmly believes that the South Centre should focus on those issues of development where there is consensus and a common understanding prevails amongst the members of South.  This will ensure that we all work towards a common constructive goal with greater cohesion.

9. The South Centre has been doing a commendable job in addressing the various challenges faced by the global South in the multilateral arena.  The Centre’s focus on issues relating to innovation, intellectual property, Global Health and Development, in the context of the work undertaken in WIPO, WHO, WTO and other international fora, is praiseworthy.  The analysis of contentious global issues in the policy briefs and publications brought out by the Centre is indeed topical and insightful.  We thank the South Centre for hosting India’s Commerce & Industry Minister, Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman for a very useful interaction in July 2017.

10.  We are happy to note that the Centre’s financial status has been healthy since the last few years which is imperative for its efficient and seamless functioning. Here, India would like to note with satisfaction that it is one of the highest financial contributors to the South Centre.  This reflects our sustained commitment towards deeper and stronger cooperation among countries of the South.  It is in the same vein that in 2017 India announced the setting up of an India-UN Development Partnership Fund in association with the UN Office of South-South Cooperation with a contribution of $ 100 million.  These resources are non-earmarked in the spirit of sustained predictable funding for SDGs and South-South Cooperation.

11. Mr. Convenor, we would take this opportunity to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the current Executive Director, Mr. Martin Khor, for his outstanding work. He has been a pillar of strength and his leadership has been widely recognized and acknowledged.  We would like to congratulate Prof. Carlos Correa on his appointment and are fortunate to have a person of his calibre with such a vast and diversified experience.  We have no doubt that, as someone very familiar with the working of the Centre, he will continue the tradition of excellence established by his predecessors.

12. India stands committed to work with other member states to strengthen the South Centre and enhance its relevance.

Thank You.