The United Nations High-level Political Forum recently received the second voluntary national review report of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from India. Titled ‘Decade of Action: Taking SDGs from Global to Local’, this report was presented by NITI Aayog. It has provided a comprehensive account of SDGs-related policies, methods of implementation, and the current Covid-19 situation in the country. The first review was submitted by India in 2017.
Localising SDGs
This segment of the report outlines progress on each SDG, supplemented by a series of diverse practices and success stories gathered from different states, especially the Aspirational Districts. The aim is to demonstrate how SDGs have been localized to meet specific regional needs and circumstances.
Requirement for Financial Assistance
The report highlighted the challenges posed by Covid-19, with India urging developed nations to offer financial support to developing countries. This assistance is especially crucial for addressing global public goods such as climate change mitigation and pandemic control. Government-backed research, in association with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), highlights significant funding requirements in areas of education, health, electricity, roads, and water and sanitation.
Curbing Illicit Financial Flows
The report emphasized international cooperation as a necessity in order to curb illicit financial flows, a critical concern under “SDG-17”: partnerships for the goals.
Efforts to Address Covid-19
The report unmistakably outlines the hardships endured by migrants and urban poor due to the ongoing pandemic. In response, India has embarked on a multi-pronged effort to overhaul public health infrastructure, protect jobs and livelihoods, and mitigate the impact of Covid-19. To this end, the government has announced economic relief packages, aiming to provide immediate respite.
About United Nations High-Level Political Forum
Established in 2013, the United Nations High-Level Political Forum is a subsidiary body under the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Economic and Social Council. This New York-based entity is responsible for adopting negotiated declarations, reviewing commitment, and tracking progress of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Member countries are required to present Voluntary National Review reports (VNRs) to inform about their individual progress.
India’s 2020 VNR: A Shift in Approach
The 2020 VNR from India signifies a dramatic shift from previous practices, embracing a ‘whole society’ approach in true earnest. To prepare the report, inputs were sought from sub-national and local governments, civil society organizations, local communities, vulnerable individuals, and private sector entities. NITI Aayog has been entrusted with the responsibility of supervising the adoption and monitoring of SDGs at the national and sub-national levels.
