World leaders must realise that it is high time to tackle global problems together

The 77th UN General Assembly is underway as the world faces multifold crises on several fronts from food insecurity to climate concerns, to worsening human development index and an impending Ukraine war. There are several pressing concerns before world leaders to deliberate on in the UNGA 77 being held from September 13 to 27. The need for world cooperation was never as pronounced as it is now. If they can reach a consensus on some issues, it would be good news though the chances of that happening are bleak as the members have their interests and issues to handle. However, it is a big opportunity to talk and then walk the talk for the betterment of the world. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who returned from Pakistan after first-hand witnessing floods, has asked the leaders to work towards lowering the temperature. Guterres said that in Pakistan, he looked through a window into the future: “A future of permanent and ubiquitous climate chaos.” Guterres rightly said that G20 countries are responsible for 80% of emissions. They are also suffering the impact of record droughts, fires and floods — but climate action seems to be flatlining.

This year, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar is likely to present India's point of view to the world. Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed UN General Assembly. Prime Minister Modi had made all the right noises, terming 'India as the mother of all democracies.' The Prime Minister had also launched a veiled attack on Pakistan and China for being irresponsible. India's concern of military buildup in Afghanistan and terror activities of non-State actors in Pakistan remains its two primary concerns. However, the two biggest issues of the moment for the world remain the rising temperatures and the war in Ukraine, which are both sources of unimaginable misery to the people around the world. The Ukraine war has put the food security of the world haywire and drought and famine are looming large. It is unfortunate though that UNGA, being one of the biggest world bodies, doesn't have any real powers to implement its resolutions which are still controlled by the five countries with the veto power. India had rightly pointed that out last year. This year too, the efforts to reform the world body need to be taken up more seriously than ever before if we are to see some concrete action on the plethora of problems the world is facing today.