ECOSOC United Nations Economic and Social Counci : Activities of Secretary-General in India, 10-13 January

Upon arrival in New Delhi from New York on Saturday, 10 January, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had a brief meeting at the airport with Rajendra Pachauri, the chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.  Mr. Pachauri briefed him about the on-going work of the Panel and on his planned activities in the months ahead.

From New Delhi, the Secretary-General, accompanied by Madam Ban Soon-taek, flew in the early evening to Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat.

On Sunday morning, the Secretary-General and Madam Ban visited the Sabarmati Gandhi Ashram.  The Secretary-General was given a tour of the museum and of Mahatma Gandhi's dwelling on the Ashram.  He was also shown some of Gandhi's original writings and saris which Gandhi had woven himself.

In remarks afterwards, the Secretary-General said he was deeply moved by the visit as he had always been guided by Gandhi's teachings.  He went on to add: "We will succeed only if the memory of Gandhi's unyielding fight against injustice burns bright in our hearts."  (See Press Release SG/SM/16453.)

The Secretary-General observed that the "growing radicalization, fundamentalism and extremism demand a reemphasis of Gandhi's ideals - both spiritual and political."  "Divisive politics and sectarian incitement have no place in our modern world," he stressed.

From the Ashram, the Secretary-General went directly to the inaugural session of the seventh Vibrant Gujarat Summit, where he spoke to the assembled guests and delegates.

In his remarks, he emphasized India's leadership opportunity in 2015 - a critical year for global action on sustainable development, including climate change.  "India is in a unique position to lead the move towards sustainability in the wider world," Mr. Ban said.  "This year will provide a formidable opportunity for emerging Powers to position themselves in a changing global landscape."  (See Press Release SG/SM/16454.)

The Secretary-General cited Gujarat as a prime example of how sustainable energy and climate action are different aspects of the same issue, and connect to economic growth, increased social equity and a healthier environment.  "I am pleased that my Sustainable Energy for All initiative is a partner of Vibrant Gujarat," he told the participants.

He also reminded the audience of the importance of adopting a meaningful, equitable and universal climate change agreement in Paris, which must contribute to keeping the world safe from dangerous climate change.  He added that the concepts of equity and ethics, in light of differing national circumstances for individual countries, must be embraced.  "The longer we delay taking action, the more we will pay," the United Nations chief said, "and those who suffer most will be the poorest and most vulnerable."

Following a lunch hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Secretary-General held a bilateral meeting with the Indian Prime Minister.  During the meeting, the Secretary-General expressed his admiration for the Prime Minister's focus on improving the socioeconomic well-being of all Indian people and encouraged further progress.

He also thanked India for its significant contribution to United Nations peacekeeping operations, as well as to United Nations conflict prevention and humanitarian efforts.  They also discussed the need for action on climate change, the post-2015 development agenda, and regional issues.  Noting concerns regarding sexual violence and discrimination, the Secretary-General invited the Prime Minister to join UN-Women's "HeforShe" campaign.

After his meeting with the Prime Minister, the Secretary-General, along with Madam Ban, flew a short distance to Vadodara to inaugurate a 10 megawatt solar energy plant.  The innovative project places solar panels on top on an existing canal thereby reducing evaporation from the canal and also limiting the impact on land.

In speaking to assembled dignitaries and journalists after having unveiled a plaque, the Secretary-General said that looking out at the Canal Top Solar Power Plant, he saw more than glittering panels - he saw the future of India and the future of our world.  (See Press Release SG/SM/16455.)

He underscored the importance of developing the solar power sector.  "This facility," Mr. Ban said, "demonstrates that one solution can have multiple benefits."  "Solar power protects the environment," he went on to add.  "It creates development.  It helps us conserve land.  And it promotes health and prosperity."

He also announced that he would be sending his Special Adviser, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, to represent him at an investor's summit on renewable energies to be held in February 2015 in New Delhi.

In speaking to a group of reporters afterwards, the Secretary-General was asked about the state of climate financing.  He agreed that the issue was one of the most important aspects of making climate change a success.  The Secretary-General added that he had already secured $10 billion for the Green Climate Fund but that the target was $100 billion by 2020.

Upon returning to Ahmedabad, the Secretary-General held a bilateral meeting with United States Secretary of State John Kerry, who was also attending the Vibrant Gujarat Summit.  They discussed international peace and security issues, including United Nations efforts to address the crisis in Libya, the urgency of returning to negotiations to achieve a two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the need for progress on nuclear disarmament of the Korean peninsula. 

The Secretary-General also met with Prime Minister Lyonchoen Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan before attending an official dinner hosted by Anandiben Patel, Gujarat Chief Minister, at the Pandit Deen Dayal Petroleum University at Gandhinagar.

The Secretary-General departed Ahmedabad early on the morning of 12 January for New Delhi, where he held a number of bilateral meetings with senior Indian officials.  The first was with Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs of India.  They had a broad ranging discussion on climate change, peacekeeping, Security Council reforms and gender issues.  Foreign Minister Swaraj also hosted a working lunch for the Secretary-General and his delegation.

The Secretary-General also spoke that day at the Indian Council for World Affairs (ICWA), where he delivered a keynote address in which he discussed India's role as a driver for peace in the region and the world, as a champion of human rights, and as a leader on clean development - clean sustainable development.  He told his audience that South Asia faces the grave danger of nuclear weapons.  Each addition to the arsenals raises the risks of a nuclear nightmare.  He called on India to renew its leadership on nuclear disarmament.  (See Press Release SG/SM/16459.)

After holding a town hall meeting with United Nations staff, the Secretary-General also met that day with Manohar Parrikar, India's Minister of Defence, as well as with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi, with whom he discussed the importance of ending child slavery worldwide.

Before attending a dinner to launch the UN@70 campaign, the Secretary-General held a separate meeting with United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Ambassador and cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, UNICEF National Ambassador Sharmila Tagore, and actress-activist Nandita Das, as well as Mr. Satyarthi.

At the dinner, the Secretary-General told the audience, which included a number of students, how much he appreciated the efforts of the Goodwill Ambassadors present in their respective fields.  He officially launched the UN@70 campaign to commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.  He took that opportunity to thank all United Nations staff in India for their hard work and dedication.  The Secretary-General also underscored the strong partnership between India and the United Nations in the fight for equality of all individuals, giving priority to children and women welfare.  (See Press Release SG/SM/16460.)

He also stressed that while we may all different from one another, we all have the same human rights.  "I am proud to stand for the equality of all people - including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender," he said.

On Tuesday morning, 13 January, the Secretary-General met with Sumitra Mahajan, Speaker of the Lower House of the Indian Parliament.  He also met with Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar, and planted a tree at the Ministry of the Environment.  The Secretary-General spoke to reporters afterwards, and said that he counts on the continuing leadership role of India in the ongoing efforts to address climate change issues.  He welcomed India's use of innovative technologies, such as the Canal Top Solar Power Plant that he saw during his visit to Gujarat.

He added: "Nature does not wait for us.  Nature does not negotiate with us."  Rather, he said, it is up to human beings to make sure that our world will be environmentally sustainable.

He then met with Pranab Mukherjee, President of the Republic of India.  They discussed a broad range of issues, including climate change, sustainable development, peacekeeping and United Nations reform.

In the afternoon, Mr. Ban met with the family of his former landlord before travelling to the airport to fly from India to Honduras to begin an official visit to that country.