UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 28 -- Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Saturday that the UN Security Council should include more developing countries.
"The UN Security Council must be reformed and restructured to reflect current political realities. More developing countries should be included as both permanent and non-permanent members," he told the general debate of the UN General Assembly, which entered its fifth day.
He said multilateral financial institutions should also enable an enhanced voice of developing countries in their decision-making structures.
Singh commended the UN for setting the stage for the post-2015 Development Agenda, saying it is "especially important as we deal with a lingering global economic slowdown and continuing volatility in financial markets."
"These have imposed disproportionately heavy costs on developing countries and vulnerable groups within them," he said.
Singh said that growth and inclusive development are important for all 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," Singh said.
He also noted that a meaningful post-2015 agenda must place equal priority on food and nutrition, health, education, infrastructure, water, sanitation, energy and removal of discrimination against women.
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