September 28, 2018
The period 2018-2022 is touted to become a critical phase in India’s development efforts since the year 2022 will mark 75 years of the nation’s independence
The UNSDF programme was framed following a consultation with multiple government entities, civil society representatives, academia, and the private sector
The UNSDF’s focus include poverty and urbanization; health, water; education and skill development; nutrition and food security; climate change, clean energy
Projects outlined under the programme target seven low-income states, the Northeast region, as well as the aspirational districts identified by the NITI Aayog
The National Institution for Transforming India, or the NITI Aayog, a policy think tank of the Government of India, on September 28 signed a deal with the Indian unit of the United Nations to implement projects under the Sustainable Development Goals programme. The pact, Sustainable Development Framework (UNSDF) for 2018-2022, will see execution of projects worth over US$1.5 billion. The period 2018-2022 is touted to become a critical phase in India’s development efforts since 2022 will mark 75 years of the nation’s independence. The UNSDF projects to be implemented will focus on poverty alleviation and utilisation of national resources in the best possible way to build a new India by 2022.
The UNSDF was framed following a consultation with government entities, civil society representatives, academia, and the private sector. The focus under the programme include poverty and urbanization; health, water, and sanitation; education; nutrition and food security; climate change, clean energy, and disaster resilience; skilling, entrepreneurship, and job creation; as well as gender equality and youth development. Across outcome areas, the UN will support the Government of India on south-south cooperation, in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs. Around 47 per cent of the US$1.5 billion programme budget will be mobilized through multiple sources, including the private sector.
Projects outlined under the programme target seven low-income states (Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh), the Northeast region, as well as the aspirational districts identified earlier this year by the NITI Aayog. The programme will open up new opportunities for the private sector in the launch and running of a variety of developmental projects. The projects range from affordable housing to increasing access to clean energy in rural off-grid areas; from protecting all children from vaccine-preventable diseases to quality education for all children and skilling for young people, especially young girls; and from ending stunting to improving child sex ratio.