Addressing the UN General Assembly soon after it adopted the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, he also underlined the need for ensuring "climate justice" while pursuing these targets so as to ensure protection to the poor.
"70 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 told the gathering of world leaders.
"We must reform the UN and the Security Council. This is essential so that the institutions have greater credibility and legitimacy. With a broad-based representation, we will be more effective in achieving our goals," Modi said.
His pitch for making the UNSC broad-based comes amidst India's strong bid for a permanent seat in the expanded five-member 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.
On the issue of climate change, he maintained that common but differentiated responsibility is the basis for dealing with this 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".
"We should create the world where every living thing feels secure, gets opportunities and respect. We should leave for our future generations a climate in a better condition. There can be no better objective. But this is also true that nothing is more challenging than this," Modi said.
"Today, in the 70th year of the existence of the UN, there are expectations from all of us that through our wisdom, experience, generosity and expertise we will overcome these challenges," he said.
In the context of meeting the challenge of climate change, the Prime Minister laid emphasis on clean energy while asking the developed world to transfer technology, innovation and finances to the developing countries without having "selfish interests".
He underlined that achieving the goals of sustainable development is the collective responsibility of the world and the bedrock for dealing with climate change is "common but differentiated responsibility".
"Sustainable development is the national responsibility of all the countries....Whenever we express concern over climate change, somewhere there is a stinking feeling about securing personal interests," he said.
"The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities is the bedrock of our enterprise for a sustainable world... We are here today at the <g data-gr-id="59">UN,</g> because we believe that international partnership must be at the centre of our efforts," he said.
He also underlined the need for "climate justice", which is a question of equity, per capita emission and issue of justice.
"When we talk of climate justice, it <g data-gr-id="53">is ensure</g> protection to the poor from natural calamities," Modi said.
He also emphasised the need for initiating a global education programme which could help our future generations learn about energy efficiency.
"I expect the developed countries to honour their financial commitments for development and climate change without in any way putting the both under the same head," the Prime Minister said.