Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Saturday said poverty remains a major political and economic challenge and its eradication requires special attention and a new thrust.
"This priority should anchor the post-2015 Development Agenda, which should be shaped by the member states so that it enjoys the broadest possible support and acceptance," he said, while addressing the 68th session of United Nations General Assembly here.
Dr. Singh said growth and inclusive development are naturally important for all our countries.
"They require a supportive international economic environment, enhanced investment flows, including from multilateral development banks, transfer of technology, and an open multilateral trading regime," said Dr. Singh.
"But the problems of over a billion people living in abject poverty around the world need to be attacked more directly," he added.
Dr. Singh said issues of peace, security, human rights and governance are important and need to be addressed.
"But we will fall short of realizing an ambitious post-2015 development agenda if we focus merely on governance issues at the cost of robust economic growth," he added.
Dr. Singh further said this agenda should not be merely about reprioritizing domestic spending, but also about fostering genuine international partnership between the developing and developed countries to bring about change.
"All of us need the policy space necessary to set our own domestic priorities. No one knows the condition of developing countries better than the developing countries themselves," said Dr. Singh.
"It is, therefore, important that the UN set clear and concise goals and provide practical and well-defined means of implementation, including adequate flow of resources and transfer of technology, taking the views of developing countries fully into account," he added.
Dr. Singh said a meaningful post-2015 agenda must place equally high priority on food and nutrition, health, education, infrastructure, water, sanitation, energy and discrimination against women.
"Especially critical is women's equal access to economic opportunities, and that they do not become victims of violence or targets of prejudice," he added.
Asserting that inclusive development is promoted in India in multiple ways, Dr. Singh said legislation has broadened access to education and secured rural livelihoods.
"We are now building the world's largest programme for food security. Digital technology is being harnessed to improve the delivery of public services and benefits to the people," he added.
