26 January,2024 04:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Pic/CMO
United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) president Dennis Francis on Friday said that Mumbai's energy and pace of development was inspiring, reported the PTI.
According to the PTI, UNGA chief said that he was inspired by the liveliness, energy and pace of development in Mumbai and shared that he has watched Hindi movies.
The visiting dignitary made the comments during his meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, a release from the CM Office said. UNGA is the main policy-making organ of the United Nations.
A meeting was held on Friday afternoon with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and a delegation of United Nations officials and representatives at Varsha or the official residence.
Welcoming the initial delegation, the Chief Minister said that climate change, which is a priority issue for the United Nations, is also important for Maharashtra. Our governance is based on environment friendly development and our aim is sustainable development. He said that we are protecting the environment by banning plastic, planting bamboo, green hydrogen policy and the deep cleaning campaign started in Mumbai, an official statement from the CMO said.
Dennis Francis lauded the pace of infrastructure and housing development in Mumbai.
Mumbai played an important part in India's industrialisation, he said, as per the PTI.
He recalled his country Trinidad and Tobago's close ties with India. He said the speaker's chair in the Trinidad assembly has been gifted by India, according to the release.
The UNGA chief said he was a geography student and India was part of his studies. He said he has watched Hindi movies.
"I was impressed by the spirit of patriotism and consciousness present in the parade on the Republic Day, especially among the young boys, girls and small children," Francis said, as per the statement issued by the CMO.
Climate change is an important matter in Maharashtra, CM Eknath Shinde told Francis, elaborating that his government has taken steps like plastic ban, bamboo plantation, green hydrogen policy and deep cleaning campaign in Mumbai, according to the release.
Strengthening self-help groups was also important, he said.
'Vada pav' and 'jalebi' were among the food items on the menu during the meeting, the statement said.
(with PTI inputs)
