It's our collective responsibility not to let SDGs fall behind: PM Modi

NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi, at the meeting of the G20 development ministers in Varanasi on Monday, called for comprehensive, fair and inclusive efforts to deal with the problems faced by the Global South. "In India, digitalisation has brought about a revolutionary change. Technology is being used as a tool to empower people, make data accessible, and ensure inclusivity,'' he said, adding India remained willing to share its experience with partner countries," he said.
The PM said development was a core issue for the developing countries at a time they were severely impacted by the disruption created by the pandemic, and when food, fuel, and fertiliser crises caused by geopolitical tensions had delivered another blow. "In such circumstances, the decisions you make carry great significance for humanity as a whole. We must ensure that no one is left behind,'' said PM Modi.
"I strongly believe that it is our collective responsibility not to let the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) fall behind. Our efforts must be comprehensive, inclusive, fair, and sustainable,'' the PM added. Modi sought increased investment in fulfilling the SDGs and finding solutions to address the debt risks faced by many countries.
He also called for reforming multilateral financial institutions to expand the eligibility criteria, ensuring that finance is accessible to those in need. "In India, we have made efforts to improve peoples' lives in more than 100 aspirational districts, which were pockets of under development. Our experience shows that they have now emerged as the catalysts of growth in the country. I urge the G20 development ministers to study this model of development,'' he said.
One of the outcomes of the meeting on Thursday was the decision to develop a set of 'High-Level Principles' on LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), an initiative launched by the PM last year along with the UN. This, he said, would be a significant contribution to climate action. Modi said gender equality and women's empowerment were crucial to achieve the SDGs. "In India, we are not limited to women's empowerment. Ours is a women-led development. Women are setting the agenda for development and are also the agents of growth and change," he said.