Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Special Meeting

Sustainable Urbanization and the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda

21 April 2022, 10:00 – 13:00

INDIA INTERVENTION in the interactive discussion following Roundtable One on “Implementation of the New Urban Agenda, based on the 2022 Quadrennial Report of the Secretary-General including how it is addressing rising inequality”

Thank you for giving me the floor, Mr. President. I thank the panelists for the informative discussion.

2. Over the last two years, the implementation of the New Urban Agenda has been taking place in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cities have been the epicentre of the health emergency; and developing countries have been the hardest hit.

3. In keeping with the theme of this Roundtable, I would also like to share some thoughts on India’s ambitious, and perhaps the world’s largest planned urbanization programme.

4. Today, urban India contributes 65% to the country’s GDP, which is estimated to rise to 70% by 2030. By 2047, nearly half of the country’s population (that is on a base of over 1.2 billion) will be living in cities. We are, therefore, fully conscious of the challenges and opportunities offered by the ongoing urbanization.

5. We have launched various programs and initiatives that are in tune with SDG 11 in promoting inclusive and sustainable urbanization. The ongoing efforts in India to manage its rapid urbanisation through innovative and dynamic measures have coincided with the international efforts to chart a New Urban Agenda.

7. Under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) that spans across 500 cities, covering more than 60% of urban population, we aim to ensure universal coverage of drinking water supply, improve waste management and switch to sustainable urban transport.

8. India is in the process of creating 100 Smart Cities to strengthen urban infrastructure by applying smart solutions and giving a decent quality of life and clean, energy-efficient, eco-friendly f GD and sustainable environment to citizens. Since the launch of the Mission, more than 7000 projects worth around USD 27 billion are at various stages of implementation.

9. The Prime Minister’s scheme on Affordable Housing for All is the world’s largest housing programme for the poor under which nearly 6 million houses have been completed for urban poor, with over 12 million at different levels of progress. Giving a fillip to gender empowerment, the title of each home is under the lady of the house, or co-jointly.

10. We are paying special attention to the means of mass transportation, especially metro connectivity. The government is trying to ensure that every city has more green transport, electric buses, cars & two wheelers and smart mobility.

11. Our endeavour is to have a collaborative approach with urban local governments, private sector and the urban community, to respond to the reality of COVID-19 and potential future pandemics, and to recover better, by building more resilient, inclusive and sustainable cities.

I thank you.