Ms Isha Ambani sets a bold tone for development at ‘India Day’ during UN General Assembly week: “India is stepping into its rightful place, shaping the new global order.”

News Mania Desk / 26th September 2024

• Reliance Foundation, ORF and UN in India jointly organised panel discussions in New
York in the week of the 79th United Nations General Assembly
• Minister of External Affairs, Govt. of India, Dr S Jaishankar articulated the leadership
that India was providing to the global development agenda
• ‘Tiger’s Tale: Crafting a New Development Paradigm’ panel discussion explored
India’s growing role as a leader in the Global South
• The Next Frontier, a publication focusing on future strategies and pathways for
development, beyond 2030 was released during the events
New York / Mumbai, September 26, 2024: High-level dialogues exploring India’s growing
role as a leader in the Global South marked discussions during ‘India Day @ UNGA week’ in
New York. Organised by Reliance Foundation in partnership with Observer Research
Foundation (ORF) and the United Nations in India office, the events provided insights and
learnings along with pathways for sustainable development beyond 2030.
Delivering the opening address at the high-level event, Ms Isha Ambani, Director, Reliance
Foundation, focused on what she coined as the ‘Pancha Tantra’ or five key pathways for
sustainable development. These included unleashing the power of women, unlocking the
power of youth, partnerships as multipliers of innovation, the transformational power of
technology and crafting a bold vision for the future. “This week, as leaders from around the
world gather in New York to discuss equitable development, it is clear that our world is
changing rapidly. India in particular, is stepping into its rightful place, shaping the new global
order. But this moment is more than just about change—it’s about creating a better future
together, especially for our youth. The challenges we face are many, but by working together,
we can make real progress,” said Ms Isha Ambani.
The dialogue, Tiger’s Tale: Crafting a New Development Paradigm, was a high-level
dialogue exploring India’s growing role as a leader in the Global South and its potential to set
new benchmarks in global development.
Dr S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, Government of India, spoke of how
leadership from the Global South is now a reality. He added that at the UN – there is
acknowledgement of India’s role as a nation with a heart, and a country that has brought the
Global South back into the conversation. He also added that it was crucial to look at how we
democratize technologies, democratize the global workplace and do it in an orderly,
acceptable way.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DP World,
stressed on the resilience inherent in international trade, thought, the current linkages being
weak, and we need to build connectivity that benefits all.

Hugh Hilton Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Guyana, said the Summit of the Future
reflects on the SDGs – we only achieved 17% success. Something is definitely wrong. While
problems have been identified, we need to have the political will to leave no one behind and
are depending on the leadership of countries like India.
Mr P Harish, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, spoke of how
India with the largest cohort of youth has a huge role to play. Those who turned 18 are an
important part of the political process and youth will emerge as a key issue. “When the tale
of the tiger is told, it will be told by the cubs and the young tigers,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the India Day @ UNGA panel discussions explored Pathways to the Rising
South, Technology as an enabler, the Power of Women-Led Development and the LiFE
Economy. These sessions that featured experts on the themes of discussion, proposed
solutions and opportunities for the world ahead. The audience included key sector
stakeholders, including government, multilaterals, philanthropic foundations, academia, think
tanks, private sector and other organisations.
A special publication, jointly developed by Reliance Foundation, Observer Research
Foundation and the United Nations in India office, “The Next Frontier: Charting the
Contours of the Post-2030 Development Agenda”, was released during the events. A
curation of 27 essays from global experts, the publication explores the strategies, innovations,
and leadership required for a new global development agenda beyond 2030. The essays are
by a range of authors from the development, philanthropy, think tank, as well policy and
thought leaders with voices from both the Global North and the Global South. Download the
publication here: www.reliancefoundation.org The India Day @ UNGA aims to build a strong
resonance with India’s growing leadership in the development discourse of the world.
About Reliance Foundation
Reliance Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Reliance Industries Limited, aims to play a
catalytic role in addressing India’s development challenges through innovative and
sustainable solutions. Led by Smt. Nita M Ambani, Founder and Chairperson, Reliance
Foundation is relentlessly working for the overall well-being and enhanced quality of life for
all, focusing on rural transformation, education, health, sports for development, disaster
management, women empowerment, urban renewal and arts, culture and heritage, and has
touched the lives of over 77 million people across India, in over 55,550 villages and urban
locations. More on www.reliancefoundation.org
Follow Reliance Foundation on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ril_foundation
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foundationRIL
LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/company/reliancefoundation
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reliancefoundation/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RelianceFoundationTV

About Observer Research Foundation (ORF)
ORF is a leading multidisciplinary think tank with centres in New Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata
and an overseas affiliate in Washington DC. It helps discover and inform India’s choices and
carries Indian voices and ideas to forums shaping global debates. It provides non-partisan,
independent, well-researched analyses and inputs to diverse decision-makers in
governments, business communities, and academia and to civil society around the world. For
more information, visit: www.orfonline.org
Follow ORF on:
Twitter: @orfonline
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ORFDelhi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/observer-research-foundation/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orfonline/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ORFOnline
Telegram: https://t.me/orftq