Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday. 

The annual general assembly session this year is being held virtually, for the first time in the UN’s 75-year history, due to the coronavirus pandemic. World leaders are submitting pre-recorded video statements for the session.

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The General Assembly Debate of the UN started on September 22 and will end on September 29.

The theme for this year’s debate is “The future we want, the United Nations we need: reaffirming our collective commitment to multilateralism – confronting COVID-19 through effective multilateral action.”

The Department for General Assembly and Conference Management said in accordance with the existing practice at the General Debate, a voluntary 15-minute time limit needs to be observed by the speakers.

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In a video address to the high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly to begin the 75th anniversary of the United Nations on September 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “The UN faces a crisis of confidence without comprehensive reforms.” He added that the world requires a reformed multilateralism that bespeaks the realities of today, gives voice to all stakeholders and engages with contemporary challenges.

PM Modi made these remarks ahead of India taking a seat at the UN Security Council as an elected non-permanent member for a two-year term that starts on January 1, 2021.

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As part of its 75th anniversary, the UN General Assembly has adopted a declaration in which the heads of states and governments reaffirmed their commitment to leave no one behind, preserve the planet, promote peace and prevent conflicts, abide by international law and ensure justice, place women and girls at the centre, build trust, improve digital cooperation and upgrade the United Nations, among other issues.