India
Statement
by
His Excellency
Arvind Panagariya
Vice-Chairperson of
NIT Aayog of India
On the
1 11(tl
INDIA
Ministerial meeting of the high-level
Political forum on sustainable development
Convened under the auspices of the
Council
18 July 2017
Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations
235 East 43rd Street, New York, NY 10017 • Tel: (212) 490-9660 • Fax: (212) 490-9656
Email: ind_general@indiaun.net
.•
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 N arendra 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 fasttrack
the national development goals, which a.re 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.
Mr. President,
To boost 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.
I thank you Mr .. President.
by
His Excellency
Arvind Panagariya
Vice-Chairperson of
NIT Aayog of India
On the
1 11(tl
INDIA
Ministerial meeting of the high-level
Political forum on sustainable development
Convened under the auspices of the
Council
18 July 2017
Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations
235 East 43rd Street, New York, NY 10017 • Tel: (212) 490-9660 • Fax: (212) 490-9656
Email: ind_general@indiaun.net
.•
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 N arendra 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 fasttrack
the national development goals, which a.re 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.
Mr. President,
To boost 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.
I thank you Mr .. President.
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