UNITED NATIONS (TIP): Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, in collaboration with NITI Aayog, Government of India, hosted a high-level side event titled “SDGs: Keeping up the Momentum for Agenda 2030” on 18 July 2025 at the United Nations Headquarters on the sidelines of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF).

Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Suman Bery, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog and Head of India’s Delegation to HLPF 2025, outlined India’s achievements in reducing multidimensional poverty, expanding social protection, and improving health outcomes. He emphasized India’s twin approach of strengthening safety nets for vulnerable populations while advancing reforms that drive growth, innovation, and climate resilience. Mr. Bery also highlighted India’s efforts to localize SDGs through state-level indicator frameworks and active community participation. He showcased India’s pioneering work in building world-class Digital Public Infrastructure, promoting financial inclusion, and enabling data-driven governance as transformative tools for sustainable development.

Ms. Kanni Wignaraja, Assistant Secretary-General and Regional Director Asia Pacific UNDP, called for intensified local development efforts that deliver tangible benefits to people. She stressed the need for robust, trusted data systems and the bold application of digital and AI technologies to accelerate development gains. Highlighting UNDP’s partnership with India and other countries, she underscored the importance of sustained political will to address lagging targets, close gender gaps, and advance climate action and green transitions.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, Permanent Representative of India to the UN, reaffirmed India’s strong commitment to the 2030 Agenda. He highlighted India’s integrated approach to sustainable development, which combines the convergence of flagship programs, SDG localization, advances in digital infrastructure, and proactive climate action and the valuable lessons that can be learnt from India’s experience.

The event also featured presentations from international partners sharing their national experiences: Mr. Héctor Francisco Ochoa Moreno, 2030 Agenda Director General, Ministry of Economy, Mexico, Mr. Pungkas Bahjuri Ali, Senior Advisor to the Minister on Social Welfare and Poverty Reduction, Indonesia; and Mr. Samuel Addis Alemayehu, Deputy Director General, International Organizations Directorate General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ethiopia.

A panel discussion also explored cross-cutting approaches to create catalytic, multiplier impacts across multiple SDGs. Mr. Ulrich Nicklas, Head of 2030 Division, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Germany, emphasized climate justice as a critical pillar of sustainable development. Mr. Jay Jayaraman of iSPIRT highlighted the transformative potential of Digital Public Infrastructure, while Mr. Pranay Dasari, Youth Representative, underscored the vital role of youth in leading community-driven SDG initiatives.

The event fostered rich discussions on inclusive, sustainable, and data-driven pathways to development and inspired global partnerships aimed at sustaining momentum towards achieving the 2030 Agenda.
(Based on a Press Release issued by Eldos Mathew Punnoose, Counsellor/ Media Officer, Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations)