Reliance Foundation's UNGA Week event spotlights India's 17 lighthouse initiatives for Sustainable Development Goals

Releasing the publication at the first forum on ‘Delivering Development: Journeys, Directions and Lighthouses’, Ruchira Kamboj, Permanent Representative of India to the UN, said, “We refuse to make a choice between fighting poverty and protecting our planet; instead, we will pursue sustainable, inclusive, and equitable transitions that leave no one behind. In this spirit of fostering transparency and sharing best practices, I am delighted to announce that we have just released a comprehensive report "Ideas, Innovation, Implementation: India’s Journey towards the SDGs.”

Speaking at the second panel on South Rising: Partnerships, Institutions and Ideas’, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said SDGs, green development, women-led development, and digital public infrastructure would determine global progress for the next decade and transition would be driven by the Global South. “We need political rebalancing and economic rebalancing as part of the G20. None of this can go beyond a point unless there is cultural rebalancing which is respecting the diversity of the world, giving other cultures and traditions their due respect. From millets to traditional medicine, respecting others’ heritage, tradition, music, ways of life – these are parts of the change the global south would like to see.”

Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Jamaica, built a strong articulation of India’s support especially to smaller countries. “In a situation where you had to call on friends for support, the question was, who could you call, and more importantly, who would answer. India answered. India answered the world and the small countries in the Caribbean,” adding, “We believe in the Indian approach. We cannot see ourselves as victims, but we need to innovate and find new ways. We need to prove ourselves. India has done it. India walks the talk as we have seen. We take inspiration in Vasudaiva Kutumbakam.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Hugh Hilton Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Republic of Guyana, said, “Multilateralism needs leadership. That’s what India is providing. India, as a country, is extremely humble and responsible. Quietly, India has been taking care of its people and the rest of the world. It’s only natural that India has earned its rightful place in helping not only by providing leadership in the Global South but helping to advance integration. India has proven itself to be a responsible partner and leader.”

Jagannatha Kumar CEO, Reliance Foundation spoke of the need to think beyond 2030. Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator, India spoke of the importance of public private and multi-stakeholder conversations towards the SDGs. Samir Saran, President, ORF, spoke of the importance of bringing attention to the voices of those invisibilised in the world.

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