New York, Sep 26 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday outlined India's climate change goals at the UN Sustainable Development Summit, saying he represents a culture that calls the earth "mother" and that India over the next seven years will create 175 GW of renewable energy capacity.

"I represent that culture that calls the earth Ma.. The Vedas says that the earth is the mother and we are its sons," he said in Hindi at the summit.

He said India has outlined ambitious programmes to fight climate change. Besides creating 175 GW renewable energy capacity, the country would also stress on energy efficiency, tree plantation, coal tax, clean environment, cleaning up of rivers, waste to wealth movement and sustainable development.

Outlining his government's programmes towards financial inclusion, he said 180 million new bank accounts had been opened, and termed the measure the biggest empowerment for the poor. He said the government was working towards a Pension Yojana to ensure pension reaches the poor.

Modi said earlier there was talk only of the private sector or public sector, but his government has focused on the "personal sector", like individual enterprise through micro finance, innovation, start ups, creating opportunities and providing clean water, power, health, education, hygiene for all - all that is needed to live a decent life.

He said the government has fixed a time limit for the programmes, and added that women empowerment is a major part of his government's policy through "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (Save the girl child, educate the girl child)", which the government has made into a household mantra. Another was to make agriculture more remunerative by connecting fields to markets.

Modi said his government is taking steps to mitigate the agrarian crisis, revive the manufacturing sector, improve the services sector, and stressing on investments in the infrastructure sector and focusing on creating smart cities, which are sustainable and the centres of development.

He said India's path is linked to sustainable development as it is linked to the tradition of calling the earth "mother".

Stressing international cooperation in the UN to be at the centre of sustainable development and to fight climate change, he said: "The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities is the bedrock of our enterprise for a sustainable world."

He also proposed a global education programme to prepare future generations about the need for sustainable development.

Modi pitches for UNSC reforms

United Nations, Sep 26 (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday pitched for reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), saying it was essential for the world body to inspire confidence and be relevant in the current world realities.

“Seventy years back, when the horrific second World War came to an end, this organisation came into being, raising hopes of people around the world. We have gathered here to decide a new direction,” he said addressing the UN General Assembly session.

Talking about the global challenges and problems, Modi said, “We need UN reforms so that it inspires confidence and becomes relevant to the current world realities.”

His pitch for UNSC reforms comes amid India’s strong bid for a permanent seat in the expanded powerful world body.

Modi asserted that the global challenges like climate change and sustainable development are the collective responsibility of all nations as no nation can be immune to any kind of threat.

Modi talked about the need for eradicating poverty and ensuring development as he highlighted that 1.3 billion people around the world are forced to live in poverty. He said eradication of poverty must remain the biggest responsibility as without it the world peace, just systems and sustainable development cannot be possible.

On the issue of climate change, he said common but differentiated responsibility is the basis for dealing with the challenge.

In this context, he asked the developed nations to fulfill their responsibility of sharing technology, innovation and finances with the developing countries without having any “selfish interest”.

The prime minister said while working for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), there should be “climate justice” to ensure that poor are protected from natural tragedies. “While addressing climate change, it is important to focus on solutions that help us reach our goals,” he told the assembly of leaders from across the world.

Noting that India sees the world as one, Modi said the globe is connected and all countries were dependant on each other. “Our international partnerships need to be centred on progress of humanity,” he said.

Modi meets UN chief

Modi on Friday met UN chief Ban Ki-moon as the world body adopted an ambitious agenda of SDGs aiming to tackle global challenges like poverty and hunger over the next 15 years.

Modi met the UN Secretary-General ahead of his speech at the SDG summit. “Discussing development @UN. @secgen Ban Ki Moon calls on PM @narendramodi before he speaks at UN SDG Summit,” MEA spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted.

The SDGs, including assuring gender equality and building a life of dignity for all, were adopted as global leaders descended at the UN headquarters on the historic occasion of the world body’s landmark 70th anniversary session.

The 193-member General Assembly adopted the new development agenda after years of intense negotiations.

In a letter to Ban recently, Modi had said that the historic 70th year of the UN must be used to send an “unambiguous message” of “zero tolerance against terrorism”, citing the threats posed by “non-state military actors”.