SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALs

India played a prominent role in the formation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and much of the country’s National Development Agenda is mirrored in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The progress of the world to meet the SDGs largely depends on India’s progress. However, with 17 Goals, 169 Targets and 306 National Indicators, the SDGs might  be difficult to grasp and understand, and defining and measuring success poses a challenge.

In 2020, the world enters the final decade for achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) – the “Decade for Action”. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has already stated that “we have 12 years left to save the planet from the worst effects of climate change”. Therefore, the time to act is now.

It is a matter of satisfaction, the second edition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index, indicates that India’s composite score has improved from 57 in 2018 to 60 in 2019, thereby showing noticeable progress. The maximum gains been made in Goals 6 (clean water and sanitation), 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure) and 7 (affordable and clean energy). All three states that were in the ‘Aspirant’ category (with score/s in the range of 0-49) – Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Assam – have graduated to the ‘Performer’ category (50-64). Five States – Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Goa and Sikkim – moved up from the performer’ category to the ‘Front Runner’ category (65-99), Kerala achieved the first rank in the composite SDG Index with a score of 70, followed by Himachal Pradesh at 69, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu ranked at the third position with the score of 67. The biggest improvers since 2018 are UP (which has moved from the 29^th position to the 23^rd), Odissa (23^rd to 15^th) and Sikkim (15^th to 7^th).While Bihar improved its score from 48 in 2018 to 50 in 2019, it still has a long way to go in achieving the targets.

The world is now in the fifth year of the SDG era. India’s  National Development Agenda is mirrored in the SDGs. India’s progress in the global Goals is crucial for the world as the country is home to about one-sixth of the world’s population. It may be mentioned that the SDG India Index 2019 tracks progress of all states and UTs on 100 indicators drawn from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) National  Indicator Framework (NIF). The process of selection of these indicators included multiple consultations with Union Ministries/Departments and States/UTs.

The classification criteria based on SDG India Index score is as follows: Aspirant)-49, Performer 50-64, Front Runner 65-99 and Achiever 100. Niti Aayog has the twin manmade to oversee the implementation of SDGs in the country and promote competitive and cooperative federalism among States and UTs. The SDG India Index acts as a bridge between these mandates, aligning the SDGs people, planet, prosperity, partnership and peace.

NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGO) MAJOR GROUP

The 2017 High Level Political Forum addressed the theme “Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in the changing world”, an imperative that is also a prerequisite for sustainable peace. Achieving these aims will not be possible unless the structural and systemic barriers to achievement – and root causes of exploitation and degradation of the environment – are addressed. Current neoliberal macroeconomic policy is a major driver of unequal distribution of wealth and power and the destruction of natural resources, and must be reconsidered and replaced. Notions of development based entirely on economic growth present a myopic view of the progress and must be discarded, and cooperation must be held to account for their social and environmental records. They called for a new development paradigm which furthers the well being of humans, nature and animals and which sees as its ultimate aim the achievement of equity and justice, to “leave on one behind”.

As recognized by the 2030 Agenda, NGOs play critical roles in SDG implementation; they raise awareness and mobilize, build capacity, design and implement projects, monitor and review policies, collect data, provide technical expertise and both support and hold governments accountable to their commitments.NGO activities include, but are not limited to, environmental, social, advocacy and human rights work. They can work to promote social or political change on a broad scale or very locally. NGOs play a critical part in developing society, improving communities, and promoting citizen participation.

The Foundation for Millennium Sustainable Development Goals since its inception is deeply committed and working closely with Union and State Governments particularly on providing sustainable livelihood to the people, protecting environment, making farming profitable and creating employment opportunities in rural and semi-urban areas by organizing entrepreneurial skill development programs and setting up INCUBATORS at cluster level. The focus areas remain along with others on SC-STs, North East and undeveloped villages. The initiatives taken by the Foundation are briefly reflected under various heads.