India’s Role in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals Crucial: Hardeep Puri
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 23rd Feb. In his address at the UN Global Compact Network India’s (UNGCNI’s) 18th National Convention, Minister Hardeep Singh Puri underscored India’s pivotal role in the success of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With India being the world’s most populous nation and the fifth-largest economy, Puri emphasized that India’s progress will significantly impact global outcomes.
The convention, themed “Advancing Sustainable India: Driving Change with Forward Faster 2030,” witnessed discussions on various critical topics including climate change action, water resilience, sustainable finance, and living wages for economic empowerment.
Minister Puri highlighted India’s substantial strides in achieving SDGs over the past decade, lifting over 250 million people out of multidimensional poverty and transforming the water and sanitation landscape through initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission and AMRUT.
Despite global challenges, India has shown remarkable progress in addressing issues of clean water and sanitation, mobilizing resources, and implementing impactful initiatives, he added.
Discussing women empowerment, Puri noted a shift towards women-led schemes, including the historic Women’s Reservation Bill introduced last year to ensure equitable participation in political processes. He also mentioned India’s progress on sustainability targets, including advancing the target for ethanol blending and efforts towards emerging technologies like battery energy storage systems and e-mobility.
Acknowledging the crucial role of the private sector in SDG achievement, Puri emphasized the need for businesses to integrate sustainability into their operations. While lauding impactful CSR initiatives, he stressed that sustainability should be incorporated into core business practices to create meaningful change. Puri cited ONGC’s example, which reduced emissions by 17% in the last five years by integrating sustainable practices into its operations.
In conclusion, Minister Puri reiterated India’s commitment to sustainable development, guided by international agreements and collaborative efforts with organizations like UNGC, which provide valuable guidance and platforms for collaboration.
