General Assembly General Assembly

 


Mr. President,


I am pleased to represent India in the second meeting of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development.  Building on the initial steps taken during the first year, we have considerably strengthened the institutional framework for SDG implementation. 
Taking cue from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's memorable phrase Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, translated as 'Collective Effort, Inclusive Development,' various stakeholders in India are coming together to promote a better future for the country.


The National Institution for Transforming India or NITI Aayog - that I head as Vice Chairperson - has mapped the goals and targets to various government ministries and initiatives. The Institution has also released a draft 3-Year Action Agenda to fast-track the national development goals, which are reflected in the SDGs. 


At the sub-regional or State levels, highly motivated chief ministers have taken lead in incorporating the insights from the 2030 agenda into their development strategies. 


The Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation has evolved a list of national indicators for monitoring the SDGs. Our emphasis in this regard has been strictly on verifiable outcome indicators and not perception-based measures. We strongly recommend against perception-based measures, which are routinely manipulated to suit one's own prejudices and ideology. 


Mr. President, 


I appreciate the focus of HLPF, 2017 on eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world. 


As I am sure you know, among major economies, India is the fastest growing economy today.  This has enabled India to combat poverty through gainful employment opportunities as well as large-scale anti-poverty programmes. The country has cut the number of poor in half since 1993. Programmes such as 'Housing for All' and Swachh Bharat Mission are rapidly transforming the country. 


To end hunger India's food security programmes reaches over 800 million citizens. Progressive legislations like the Maternity Benefit Programme are helping reduce gender inequality.


Even as it combats poverty, India remains committed to protecting the environment.  It has offered ambitious set of Nationally Determied Commitments as a part of the Paris Agreement. 


To mobilise domestic revenue resources, the government has recently enacted the path-breaking Goods and Services Tax (GST).  But we also count on the developed countries making good on their commitment to provide additional means of implementation. 
India is committed to cooperating with other developing countries especially in Africa.  India-Africa Growth Corridor that we recently proposed in collaboration with Japan is the latest example of this commitment. 


India believes that with sustained efforts at the national and global levels, it will indeed be possible to eradicate poverty. You can count on India's proactive role in undertaking this collective journey with the world and succeeding in accomplishing the SDGs by 2030. 


We align ourselves with the statement given by the distinguished head of delegation of Ecuador on behalf of G77

I thank you Mr. President.