Looking back on a year that changed a lot of things, the UN office in India is celebrating a year of big steps forward in its development goals with India.
In the face of global difficulties such as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, India displayed local and international leadership. Notably, it took up the G20 presidency, focusing the agenda on the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate action, multilateral system reform, and gender equality.
The G20 Presidency saw exceptional alignment and coordination between the UN and India, showing India's dedication to global development. The UN, particularly through its agencies, played an important role in assisting various G20 working groups by offering technical expertise, contributing to issue notes, and hosting side meetings. The collaboration resulted in significant achievements, including the G20 Action Plan to Accelerate Progress on the SDGs, pledges to triple global renewable energy capacity, and progress in multilateral development bank reform.
The release of the Government of India-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2023-27 (SDCF) marks a watershed moment in the cooperation. This strategy framework describes the government and the UN's coordinated efforts towards achieving India's SDGs. The SDCF, which was developed via broad consultation across ministries, agencies, and civil society, also prioritizes South-South Cooperation. As a result, India is sharing its best practices with the rest of the world through a new SDG pooled fund at the country level.
The UN India team provided coordinated support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's and UN Secretary-General António Guterres' unique initiative, Mission LiFE (Livelihood, Education, Forestation, and Environment). The principles of LiFE were included in the new SDCF, and UN agencies actively participated in its development. Mission LiFE, which focuses on a sustainable and resilient blue/ocean-based economy, gained traction with the backing of UNDP and UNEP.
The UN's assistance included crucial sectors of India's development agenda, such as routine vaccines, maternity and child health, water and sanitation, education, and nutrition. The United Nations agencies played a critical role in improving health services, supporting water and sanitation missions, and lobbying for better nutrition outcomes. The UN also helped India's education sector, highlighting the importance of teachers in environmental education.
In addition to supporting development activities, the UN in India recognized India's rich cultural history by adding two new monuments to the UNESCO World History List: Santiniketan in West Bengal and the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas in Karnataka. The recognition of Gujarat's Garba, a traditional dance form, highlights India's cultural variety.
Also, with continuous efforts for economic growth and decent employment, the UN, led by the International Labour Organization (ILO), has cooperated with UN Women, UNDP, UNIDO, and UNHCR to encourage innovation, technological ecosystems, safe migration, and social protection systems. Initiatives addressing gender-based violence, legal aid access, and support for a just green transition demonstrated the UN's broad engagement in India.
As the UN-India partnership evolves, the last year's successes highlight the dedication to sustainable development, inclusivity, and global cooperation. The joint initiatives illustrate a shared vision for a better and more equal future, embodying the spirit of the United Nations mandate to address global challenges collaboratively.
A CSR Initiative of
Designed and Executed by
Implemented by
Technology is a useful servant, but a dangerous master, it was rightly said. Electronic devices have grown into an inevitable part of our daily lives.
