Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) today in New York, the first time since the coronavirus pandemic broke out in December 2019. "The strength of India's democracy lies in the fact that a young tea seller is addressing the UN for the 4th time," the Prime Minister said in his opening remarks.
India has developed the world's first DNA vaccine that can be given to everyone above 12 years of age, PM Modi said. "While understanding the responsibility towards humanity, India has yet again started giving vaccines to those who need it," the PM said.
The theme for this year's General Debate is 'Building Resilience through hope to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainably, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people, and revitalise the United Nations''. As per the second provisional list of speakers for the General Assembly, about 109 heads of state and government will address the General Debate in person and nearly 60 will deliver speeches through pre-recorded video statements.
PM Modi flew to New York on Saturday from Washington after holding his first bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden in the Oval Office of the White House and attended his first in-person Quad summit on Friday.
PM Modi had last addressed the UN General Assembly session in 2019. Last year, world leaders had submitted pre-recorded video statements for the United Nations General Assembly session in September, as heads of state and government could not physically attend the annual gathering due to the coronavirus pandemic.
