Statement/Intervention by India during the Interactive Dialogue on the Panel Discussion on Global-local Interlinkages I: Obstacles to realizing the right to development and to addressing poverty and inequality at the Social Forum (8-9 October 2020) delivered by Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, First Secretary,

Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 8 October 2020)

Mr Chair,

We thank the Panelists for their insightful presentations on the theme, which is of significant importance to India. We would like to offer some general comments on the topics under discussion:

2. Covid-19 has delivered an enormous global shock, leading to a major obstacle in realizing the right to development. The pandemic has underlined the need for global partnership, in leaving no one behind.

3. Among the many inequalities exposed by Covid-19, the digital divide is one of the stark examples. According to UNESCO, globally, only just over half of households (55%) have internet access. Realizing the importance of digitalisation in the education system, through Digital India programme, we are expanding the internet access in schools; more than 80 percent of the teachers have been formally trained. However, inspite of deep penetration of mobile telephony, challenges remain, as internet access and digital literacy need further improvement.

4. Considering the new diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines are being developed, India believes that some categories of intellectual property rights may create obstacles in the access to medicines. As there is an urgent need for global solidarity and unhindered sharing of technology and know-how, last week, India and South Africa submitted a joint proposal to the TRIPS Council to waive some of the provisions of the TRIPS Agreement in relation to prevention, containment or treatment of COVID-19.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

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