December 15, 2022
3 mins read

India highlights principles for accelerating progress on SDGs

Acknowledging Indonesia’s leadership in delivering successful outcomes last year, Kwatra said that “We, on our side, resolve to take forward and strengthen consensus on key global issues in the G20.”…reports Asian Lite News

India on Wednesday highlighted new high-level principles for accelerating progress on SDGs at G20’s working group meeting.

Substantive discussions on India’s key priorities proposed for the Development Working Group (DWG) agenda began on Day 2 of the 1st DWG Meeting in Mumbai, Maharashtra, today — with Session 1 on ‘Accelerating Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals,’ being held in two segments, read G-20 Secretariat press release. The three-day DWG meeting, which will be held from December 13-16, will underscore cross-cutting developmental issues with a sharp focus on India’s DWG priorities for the year, which include — harnessing the transformative power of data for development, mainstreaming India’s commitment to Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) as a global movement, and accelerating progress on SDGs through the levers of women-led development, digital transformation, and just green transitions — all cross-cutting enablers with large multiplier effects.

The meeting began with a video message by Foreign Secretary of India, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, who highlighted India’s responsibility as voice of the Global South to accurately represent the multifaceted interests of the developing nations of the world.

Acknowledging Indonesia’s leadership in delivering successful outcomes last year, Kwatra said that “We, on our side, resolve to take forward and strengthen consensus on key global issues in the G20.”

The DWG, one of 13 Working Groups under the G20 Sherpa Track, has been the custodian of the development agenda in the G20 since its inception in 2010. It was also one of the first WGs to be conceptualized after the 2008 financial crisis.

India’s DWG co-chairs, Joint Secretaries Nagaraj Naidu and Eenam Gambhir, formally opened the discussions with an overview of the day’s agenda, outlining India’s priority areas and setting the context for the discussions within significant global setbacks to the SDGs, added the release.

The discussions covered India’s proposals, as well as the immediate developmental impacts of current disruptions in food, energy and financial markets.

During the break between discussions, delegates enjoyed an exhibition of local Maharashtran handicrafts, which included start-up businesses, and a pottery-making stall.

The second half of Session 1 on Accelerating Progress on SDGs shifted focus to the structural frameworks required for nations to fulfill commitments made in the 2030 Agenda — including the need to enhance the ability and capacity of developing countries to meet targets, creating momentum for ongoing work, and creating new action plans wherever needed.

India stressed the need for a greater voice for developing countries in multilateral institutions and processes, with a strong emphasis paid to facilitate effective consultations across countries, groups, and tracks, added the release.

Presentations by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and International Labour Organisation (ILO) on the cascading impacts of gender discrimination, as well as the potential of just green transitions and digital transformation, respectively, were made.

Mr Federico Bonaglia of the OECD, informed delegates that addressing gender discrimination will add USD 6 trillion to the global GDP.

Moustapha Kamal Gueye from the ILO demonstrated how climate change impacts the labour market, highlighting the need for the world to align climate and development policies to ensure sustained economic growth. He said, “Transitioning to a circular economy has the potential to create 100 million green jobs by 2030.”

Countries also discussed existing frameworks, and bottlenecks, for accessing sustainable finance, the need to strengthen efforts to achieve gender equality through employment, education, and steps needed to bridge digital divides globally.

India’s DWG co-chairs Nagaraj Naidu and Eenam Gambhir ended the two sessions by summarising country interventions and thanking participating delegates for their contributions and support towards our ambitious agenda, added the release.

The day closed with a dinner and cultural program on the lawn of Taj Land’s End Hotel, where delegates experienced a taste of Mumbai’s world-famous Bollywood film industry. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Jaishankar, Guterres hold talks on India’s G20 leadership

Previous Story

Nandi Hills to attract G20 delegates and tourists

Next Story

Navy chief discusses defence cooperation with Lankan PM, Prez

Latest from -Top News

Pakistan on the Brink: War, Weakness, Woes

The reason behind growing anxiety and consternation in Islamabad is the depleting reserves of its military’s artillery and ammunition and also a ruined economy…reports Asian Lite News As the tensions between India

UAE Reopens Doors to Lebanon

The prime minister expressed Lebanon’s “utmost gratitude and appreciation to the UAE” and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan….reports Asian Lite News Lebanon welcomed the decision by the United Arab Emirates

Over 45,000 affected by Somalia flash floods 

The Horn of Africa is one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change, and extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent and intense  More than 45,000 people have been affected by

UNSC Convenes Over India-Pak Crisis

Pakistan is currently an elected member of the Council and will participate in the meeting….reports Asian Lite News The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will be holding a closed-door meeting on Monday

Trump Declares Trade War on Foreign Films

He accused other countries of offering all sorts of incentives and drawing filmmakers and studios away from the US….reports Asian Lite News US President Donald Trump on Monday (Indian time) announced a
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Sri Lankan President invited for Modi’s inauguration

Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on

AWS to invest $12.7 bn into India’s cloud infra

This investment is estimated to contribute Rs 1,94,700 crore ($23.3