The NITI Aayog and the United Nations in India on Friday signed the Sustainable Development Framework for 2018-2022.
In a press release, NITI Aayog said the agreement is a reflection of the commitment and efforts made by India towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals. The Government of India-United Nations Sustainable Development Framework (UNSDF) for 2018-2022 was signed by the CEO of NITI Aayog, Amitabh Kant and United Nations Resident Coordinator in India, Yuri Afanasiev, at a special signing ceremony presided over by Vice Chairperson, NITI Aayog, Dr. Rajiv Kumar. Members of NITI Aayog and heads of UN agencies in India were present on this occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajiv Kumar said that 2018-2022 will be a crucial phase in India's development story since the year 2022 marks 75 years of India's Independence. "In this backdrop, partnership instruments such as the UNSDF assume even more significance to accelerate the pace towards building a New India by 2022, an India that is free of poverty and equal for all," he said.
The UNSDF outlines the development cooperation strategy between the Government of India and the United Nations Country Team in India, in support of the achievement of India's key national development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UNSDF focus areas include poverty and urbanisation; health, water, and sanitation; education; nutrition and food security; climate change, clean energy, and disaster resilience; skilling, entrepreneurship, and job creation; and gender equality and youth development.
Across outcome areas, the UN will support the Government of India on south-south cooperation, in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs. The total planned budget outlay for the implementation of the UNSDF 2018-2022 is approximately Rs 11000 crore, of which 47 per cent is planned to be mobilised through the course of implementation from multiple sources, including the private sector and the government.
Amitabh Kant highlighted the need to promote innovation in meeting India's development challenges and bringing on board the power of social entrepreneurs and the private sector to act on scale.
UN Resident Coordinator, Yuri Afanasiev, said: "The United Nations in India is committed to provide full support to the Government of India's development priorities, ensuring that the UNSDF outcomes are achieved. The solutions we find together can catalyze action across the global south- just as solutions from elsewhere in the world will be adapted to India. He added that together, the India-UN team will ensure that poor, vulnerable, and marginalized communities participate in and benefit from the country's robust growth trajectory.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
