Indian Council of World Affairs

Introduction

The current year (2023) marks the mid-point for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, also known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), for their mid-way monitoring and evaluation is likely to show that the SDGs faced setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical conflicts such as the Ukraine-Russia conflict, the Afghanistan crisis, and the emerging new world order. The SDG Summit, scheduled to be held in September 2023, intends to “mark the beginning of a new phase of accelerated progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals” and “breathe a new life into the multilateral system”.[i]

A new global consensus is required on multilateral solutions to the current as well as future problems confronting the new world order. In order to do so, greater integration and consultation, especially with regard to geopolitical consensus on SDG-17 (Partnerships for the Goals), need to be fostered. Thus, this issue brief examines the geo-political significance of SDG-17, its contributions to achieving the goal of sustainable development, and India’s role in the domain.

The journey from MDGs to SDGs- importance accorded to partnership

The genesis of the SDGs can be traced back to the “Earth Summit” held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 3-14 June 1992. The Rio de Janeiro conference gave recognition to the interdependent nature of social, economic, and environmental development and the importance of sustained efforts across sectors for a ripple effect. The Summit also categorised the concept of sustainable development as an attainable goal by people across the world and at all levels of governance, whether local, national, regional, or international.[ii]

Later, there was a global agreement to present a new development strategy for the changing realities and needs of the twenty-first-century world in the form of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2000. This new paradigm was reaffirmed and further redefined in 2002 at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, where the “overarching objectives of, and essential requirements for sustainable development” were highlighted.[iii]

MDGs were a historic and effective global mobilisation effort with their share of achievements, namely, reduction in poverty level, increased stakeholder participation, drop in global maternal mortality ratio, and decrease in new HIV infections. They were also instrumental in developing an organised framework for development cooperation.[iv] Despite the progress, some gaps still existed between the commitment and implementation due to limited access to financial resources, limited public awareness, lack of institutional capacity dedicated to implementation and evaluation, as well as lack of change in consumption patterns.

The year 2015 became a milestone year for global governance as the journey from MDGs to SDGs started taking shape. The SDGs agenda built upon the success of the 8 MDGs, bridged the gaps under the previous initiatives. Mary Robinson, a former president of Ireland, described 2015 as “the Bretton Woods moment for our generation”.[v] As a part of a post-2015 development agenda, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development called for actions by all countries- developing or developed. The goals encouraged the actors to move away from the business-as-usual approach and ensure that no one is left behind. These underlining principles called for greater global partnership and commitments, consistency between national and global policies, and balancing the three dimensions of sustainable development: the economic, social, and environmental. While also addressing areas of critical importance by simulating action on five key themes: people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnerships.

At the operational level, it became clear that modality of international cooperation surrounding sustainable development has drastically changed. Focusing only on North-South cooperation, while absolutely critical, will only make it longer to achieve the goal of sustainable development. Hence, while emphasising the importance of North-South cooperation, it was stated that collective action involving all countries and various stakeholders, the private sector, civil society, ground-level functionaries, South-South, and triangular cooperation will contribute to solving common problems and advancing shared interests. SDG 17 Partnership for the Goals lays emphasis on the above and underscores that “The Sustainable Development Goals can only be realised with a strong commitment to global partnership and cooperation.”[vi]

Fostering Global Partnerships

The progress of SDGs has been challenged by major global shocks including the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical conflicts such as the Ukraine-Russia conflict, the Afghanistan crisis, restrictive trade policies, high-energy prices, the food crisis, and the triple planetary crisis (climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss). In this light, partnering for confronting the challenges, mobilising both existing and additional resources, and strengthening international cooperation, coordination, and solidarity as underscored under SDG 17 has gained more significance.

The category of targets enumerated under SDG 17 calls on the developed countries to fully implement their official development assistance (ODA) commitments towards developing and Least Developed Countries (LDC), enhance North-South, South-South, and triangular regional and international cooperation, and support effective and targeted capacity-building in developing countries for achieving their national plans for implementing the SDGs.[vii] India on its part has been forging partnerships and giving international cooperation and collective efforts the centre stage and leaving no one behind.

India Forging Partnerships for Global Good

India has actively contributed to global common goods through its actions, national policies and also through collaboration with countries on bilateral and multilateral levels. This reinforces the Indian philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family) as a cornerstone of India’s foreign policy. The formation of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition of Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), Digital transformation via India Stacks, and the recent 'Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE) Movement' are some cases in this regard.

These policy coalitions offer a forum and platform for cooperation on multiple fronts. Such collaborations also address the challenges with regard to energy security (SDG 7), food security and poverty (SDG 1 and 2), technological transformation and innovation (SDG 9), and aid climate action (SDG 13). Besides being a developing country itself, India has utilised its ground-level experiences towards promoting a human-centric and sustainable development approach via development partnerships across the globe. India’s contribution towards generating global consensus in the spirit of partnership for goals is enumerated as follows:

• Global Clean Energy

Under the ISA’s action plan ‘One Sun One World One Grid’ (OSOWOG), the alliance seeks to create a common solar grid at the global level. This involves rapid and mass deployment of solar energy, stabilising energy supply, promoting research and development for overcoming fluctuations in the availability of sunlight, and maintaining reliable base load capacities at all times. With the opening of its membership for all UN members in 2018, the ‘One Sun One World One Grid’ (OSOWOG) initiative has been fostered to develop a transnational grid to transport the solar power generated across the globe to different load centres.

Further, the latest report by the International Energy Agency (IEA), ‘World Energy Investment 2023’ highlights that investment in clean energy has increased in recent years, with the transition mainly spearheaded by Electric Vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy. The report states that India has been one such bright spot that has taken various measures to encourage energy transition as a part of its net-zero commitments. According to the Report, apart from the dynamic solar investment in India, other bright spots include a steady upward curve of clean energy deployment in Brazil and investor activity picking up in parts of the Middle East, notably in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman. The report also mentions India’s sovereign green bonds as a landmark for the emerging sustainable finance ecosystem.[viii]

• Disaster Resilience

Under the India-led CDRI initiative, Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS) serves as a ‘knowledge centre’ for member countries to share and learn best practices with respect to disaster-proofing of existing and upcoming infrastructure. According to CDRI, every dollar invested in making infrastructure more resilient in low and middle-income countries can potentially save losses of over $4 when a disaster strikes. Also, it estimates that in the last few years, several small island states have lost 9 percent of their GDP in a single disaster.[ix] In the wake of an increasing number of disasters, IRIS aims at strengthening infrastructure in small island states so that they are more resilient against climate disasters. The CDRI has received wide support from developing as well as Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). 

• One Earth One Health

The COVID-19 pandemic which engulfed the entire world, demonstrated that collective efforts must transcend national boundaries. In this regard, Vaccine Maitri fostered the motto of One Earth One Health. As of June 15, 2023, under Vaccine Maitri over 100 countries have received vaccine supplies of 301.24 million.[x] Telemedicine and digital health are also transforming the global healthcare landscape. Given the changing nature of transnational emergencies, India has consolidated its position as the “first responder” not only assisting its own people but also extending a helping hand to people from other countries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his inaugural address at the 6^th Edition of One Earth One Health – Advantage Healthcare India 2023, underscored that “India’s goal is to make healthcare accessible and affordable, not only for our citizens but for the whole world”.[xi] 

• Sustainable Lifestyle Choices

The Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) mission, introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the COP26 in Glasgow is a mass movement to nudge individual and community action to protect and preserve the environment. According to a report by International Energy Agency (IEA), the global adoption of measures targeted by LiFE – including behavioural changes and sustainable consumer choices – would reduce annual global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by more than 2 billion tonnes (Gt) in 2030.[xii] Further, upon India’s proposal, the year 2023 was designated by United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as the ‘Year of Millets’. This initiative creates awareness about the nutritional and health benefits of millets (‘Shree Anna’ as stated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi) and their suitability for cultivation under adverse and changing climatic conditions. This provides India and the world the opportunity to contribute toward food security and ensure the livelihoods and incomes of farmers, and poverty eradication, particularly in regions that are drought-prone or threatened by climate change.[xiii] Multilateral forums, such as G20 under the Indian Presidency, have also aligned their vision with the 2030 Agenda by embracing the above initiatives. India’s G20 Presidency has strengthened the LiFE initiative by anchoring it in the G20’s framework. All G20 Ministers have committed to putting sustainable development at the centre of the international cooperation agenda. 

• Women-led Development

India is transforming from women’s development to women-led development by maximizing women’s access to education, skill training, and institutional credit. Achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment through women-led development is also integral to each of the 17 SDGs. This transformation from women’s development to women-led development is not only empowering women economically but will also increase their contribution to the GDP of the nation. It is estimated that by simply offering equal opportunities to women, India could add US$ 770 billion to its GDP by 2025.[xiv]

At the national level, India has placed women’s empowerment at the heart of its Atmanirbhar Bharat development agenda. It has committed to supporting their holistic development at all stages of life through policies and programmes such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, MUDRA scheme, Mission Poshan 2.0, Jan Dhan Yojana and bridging the gender digital divide by providing technology in regional and Indian languages.[xv] At the International level, India is not only setting up examples and showcasing its best practices but is also fostering a greater consensus among all nations toward the promotion of women in leadership roles. In this regard, the ‘Solar Mamas’ of Africa, trained as engineers under India’s development support for harnessing solar energy, are lightening thousands of homes across the African continent.[xvi] India’s model of women-led development has also been placed at the centre of India’s G20 Presidency.[xvii] Also, as a founding member of the Executive Board of UN Women and a current member, India has contributed USD 50,000 to the core voluntary budget of UN Women to further strengthen the cause for women’s empowerment.[xviii]

Conclusion

At the global level, an acceleration of the pace of achieving the SDGs needs to be done keeping in mind the demands of the emerging new world order. As envisioned under SDG 17, collaborative and supporting policies, at all levels of governance are key to achieving the targets. Further, these supportive strategies and policies will need to be accompanied by improved access to energy and development contribution, finance, technology, and capacity-building support. India translated the vision of ‘सबका साथ, सबका विकास, सबका विश्वास, सबका प्रयास’ (Together, for everyone’s growth, with everyone’s trust and everyone’s efforts) into action through policy and institutional coherence at both the domestic and global level. At the global level, capacity-building and knowledge-sharing initiatives such as ISA and CDRI advance the energy requirements of the present as well as future generations in a sustainable and environment-friendly way. To strengthen international cooperation and partnerships, countries must share knowledge, expertise, and best practices and mobilise adequate, affordable, and accessible financing. Intrinsic to SDG17 is global interdependence, cooperation, and solidarity which India wants to see enhanced and strengthened in every way for facilitating the achievement of the SDGs and 2030 Agenda.

*****

*Avni Sablok, Research Associate, Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi.
Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal.

Endnotes

[i]“The Summit of the Future in 2024”, United Nations. Available at: https://www.un.org/en/common-agenda/summit-of-the-future#:~:text=Marking%20the%20mid%2Dpoint%20of,towards%20the%20Sustainable%20Development%20Goals%E2%80%9D. (Accessed on March 4, 2023)

[ii] “United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 3-14 June 1992”, United Nations. Available at: https://www.un.org/en/conferences/environment/rio1992 (Accessed on May 15, 2023)

[iii] Ikuho Miyazawa. “What Are Sustainable Development Goals?” Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, 2012. Available at: http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep00768. (Accessed on May 15, 2023)

[iv] Sustainable Development Solutions Network. “Chapter 1: Getting to Know the Sustainable Development Goals.” Getting Started with the Sustainable Development Goals: A Guide for Stakeholders. Sustainable Development Solutions Network, 2015. Available at: http://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep15866.5. (Accessed on March 5, 2023)

[v]“Unsustainable goals”, The Economist, March 26, 2015. Available at: https://www.economist.com/international/2015/03/26/unsustainable-goals. (Accessed on May 18, 2023)

[vi] “Sustainable Development Goals: 17 Goals to Transform our World​”, United Nations. Available at: https://www.un.org/en/exhibits/page/sdgs-17-goals-transform-world (Accessed on May 24, 2023)

[vii] “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, United Nations. Available at: https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda (Accessed on June 26, 2023)

[viii] International Energy Agency, ‘World Energy Investment 2023’, May 2023. Available at: https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-investment-2023 (Accessed on May 31, 2023)

[ix] “Infra and solar alliance: India’s climate vision”, The Indian Express, November 2, 2021. Available at: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-iris-cdri-infrastructure-climate-change-7601611/ (Accessed on May 20, 2023)

[x] “Vaccine Maitri”, Ministry of External Affairs. Available at: https://mea.gov.in/vaccine-supply.htm (Accessed on June 30, 2023)

[xi] “India intends to make healthcare affordable for whole world: PM Modi”, The Hindu, April 26, 2023. Available at: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indias-goal-is-to-make-healthcare-accessible-and-affordable-not-only-for-our-citizens-but-for-the-whole-world-pm-modi/article66781569.ece (Accessed on June 30, 2023)

[xii] IEA (2023), “LiFE lessons from India”. Available at: https://www.iea.org/reports/life-lessons-from-india (Accessed on June 30, 2023)

[xiii] “International Year of Millets 2023”, Permanent Mission of India to the UN. Available at: https://pminewyork.gov.in/MilletYear2023  (Accessed on July 20, 2023)

[xiv] IBEF, “Roadmap for Women’s Economic Empowerment in India”, December 16, 2022. Available at: https://www.ibef.org/blogs/roadmap-for-women-s-economic-empowerment-in-india (Accessed on July 06, 2023)

[xv] “HT G20 Agenda: Women-led progress a key G20agenda for India, says Irani”, Hindustan Times, July 18, 2023. Available at: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indias-g20-presidency-puts-women-led-development-at-centre-stage-says-minister-101689620551505.html (Accessed on July 20, 2023)

[xvi] “Narendra Modi interacts with ‘Solar Mamas’ of Africa in Tanzania”, The Hindu, December 4, 2021. Available at: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Narendra-Modi-interacts-with-%E2%80%98Solar-Mamas%E2%80%99-of-Africa-in-Tanzania/article60529765.ece (Accessed on July 20, 2023)

[xvii] Amitabh Kant, “G20 will push for women-led growth”, Hindustan Times, March 6, 2023. Available at: https://www.g20.org/content/dam/gtwenty/gtwenty_new/press-spotlight/G20_Women_Led.pdf (Accessed on July 20, 2023)

[xviii] “India contributes USD 500,000 to UN entity for women empowerment”, ANI News, April 18, 2023. Available at: https://www.aninews.in/news/world/us/india-contributes-usd-500000-to-un-entity-for-women-empowerment20230418002052/ (Accessed on July 20, 2023)