Seventeen lighthouse initiatives from India contributing to the SDGs showcased in publication released during UNGA week

• Joint book by Reliance Foundation, United Nations India office and Observer Research Foundation
• Permanent Representative of India to the UN says India offers exemplary models for other countries at two jointly hosted high-level events
• India's leadership and experience brings promise towards achieving the Sustainable Develoment Goals says multi-country ministerial panel

NEW YORK, Sept. 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --  A strong belief in the Indian approach and leadership to achieve the Sustainable Development was the underlying tone of two high-level discussions organised in New York by Reliance Foundation, Observer Research Foundation, the United Nations India office and the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations.

A publication 'Ideas, Innovation, Implementation: India's Journey Towards the SDGs' that brought this message to life was released during the discussions. The book, a joint initiative by Reliance Foundation, Observer Research Foundation and the UN India office, highlights 17 lighthouse initiatives across 17 SDGs undertaken by not-for-profit organisations and communities. The publication highlights how implementation of the ideas could hasten the journey to the SDGs while providing a foundation for a post-2030 agenda.

Releasing the publication at the forum on 'Delivering Development: Journeys, Directions and Lighthouses', Ms. Ruchira Kamboj, Permanent Representative of India to the UN, said, "We refuse to make a choice between fighting poverty and protecting our planet; instead, we will pursue sustainable, inclusive, and equitable transitions that leave no one behind. In this spirit of fostering transparency and sharing best practices, I am delighted to announce that we have just released a comprehensive report Ideas, Innovation, Implementation: India's Journey towards the SDGs."

Speaking at the panel on South Rising: Partnerships, Institutions and Ideas', India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on SDGs, green development, women-led development, and digital public infrastructure would determine global progress for the next decade and transition would be driven by the Global South. "We need political rebalancing and economic rebalancing as part of the G20. None of this can go beyond a point unless there is cultural rebalancing which is respecting the diversity of the world, giving other cultures and traditions their due respect. From millets to traditional medicine, respecting others' heritage, tradition, music, ways of life – these are parts of the change the global south would like to see."

Ms Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Jamaica, strongly articulated India's support especially to smaller countries. "In a situation where you had to call on friends for support, the question was, who could you call, and more importantly, who would answer. India answered. India answered the world and the small countries in the Caribbean," Ms. Johnson Smith said.

Echoing similar sentiments, Mr Hugh Hilton Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Republic of Guyana, said, "Multilateralism needs leadership. That's what India is providing. India, as a country, is extremely humble and responsible. Quietly, India has been taking care of its people and the rest of the world. It's only natural that India has earned its rightful place in helping not only by providing leadership in the global south but helping to advance integration. India has proven itself to be a responsible partner and leader."

Mr João Gomes Cravinho, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Portugal said, "Behind political will are many interests, intentions of various sorts. To talk about political courage, we need outstanding leadership.To talk about political courage, at the same time, we need a transformation of the way people view their own interests. We must seek to transform the way that people look at the realities they face."

Reliance Foundation, ORF and United Nations India hosted the two key dialogues during the UNGA week focussing on the overarching theme of India's journey towards SDGs. 

Mr Jagannatha Kumar, CEO, Reliance Foundation spoke of the need to think beyond 2030. Mr Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator, India, spoke about public, private and multi-stakeholder conversations towards the SDGs. Mr Samir Saran, President, ORF, spoke of the importance of bringing attention to the voices of those invisibilised in the world.

Ideas, Innovation, Implementation: India's Journey Towards the SDGs can be downloaded at https://reliancefoundation.org/sdgs_publication

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NxA02hR7m8
Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2220469/Reliance_Foundation_2.jpg

SOURCE Reliance Foundation