EAM S Jaishankar is also scheduled to meet with the UN Secretary-General

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will visit New York on December 14 and 15 York to preside over two High-Level Ministerial signature events of India’s ongoing Presidency of the UN Security Council, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday.

The High-Level Ministerial Open Debate on 14 December is on the theme of "New Orientation for Reformed Multilateralism” (NORMS) and the High-Level Briefing on 15 December is on "Global Approach to Counter Terrorism - Challenges and Way Forward”.

Both these themes have been key priorities for India during its current tenure at the UN Security Council, the MEA noted.

The primary focus of the Open Debate on Reformed Multilateralism is to encourage all Member States to seriously address the pressing need for reforms in the global governance multilateral architecture, including the long-standing reforms of the UN Security Council. The meeting will also witness briefings by Secretary General of the United Nations and the President of the 77th UN General Assembly.

The High-Level Briefing on Counter Terrorism will seek to promote consensus amongst Council Members on the broad principles of a global counter-terror architecture. It will aim to further build upon the Delhi Declaration adopted during the Special Meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee held on 28-30 October in Mumbai and New Delhi, the MEA said.

During the visit, EAM Jaishankar will also be unveiling Mahatma Gandhi's bust on the premises of the UN Headquarters. The bust, which is a gift from India to the United Nations, will be the first Gandhi sculpture that will be installed at the UN Headquarters.

He will also launch a "Group of Friends for Accountability for Crimes Against Peacekeepers."

The MEA pointed out that during India’s August 2021 Presidency of the UN Security Council, a resolution was adopted unanimously on ensuring accountability for crimes against UN peacekeepers. Along with India, the "Group of Friends for Accountability for Crimes against Peacekeepers” will have Troop Contributing Countries like Bangladesh, Egypt, France, Morocco and Nepal, as its co-chairs.

Along with engaging in bilateral conversations with his counterparts present at the High-Level Signature Events, EAM Jaishankar is also scheduled to meet with the UN Secretary-General and the President of the General Assembly.

EAM Jaishankar will also host a luncheon featuring millets for the UN Secretary-General and member states of the UN Security Council, as well as a special photo exhibition highlighting India's efforts to mark the "International Year of Millets 2023."