Getting close to an integrated South Asia

Despite being one of the fastest growing regions, South Asia continues to remain the most disconnected region in the world. Membership of SAARC has not made a significant difference to the intraregional trade and connectivity in this region. Besides differences on the bilateral front, there are various structural, geographical, ethnic, political and historical factors which have resulted in lack of cooperation among SAARC countries. As a result, the subregional cooperation as envisaged in the SAARC Charter (Article VII) is on the rise. The idea of subregional cooperation goes as far back as 1996 when the idea of the South Asia Growth Quadrangle (SAGQ) was initiated. Since then, there have been several attempts to integrate transport and improve connectivity at the subregional level.
In recent years, one such sub-grouping which has gained importance is the Bangladesh-Bhutan-Nepal-India (BBIN).
To start with, the four countries have sealed a Motor Vehicle Agreement (MVA) for the “regulation of passenger, personal and cargo vehicular traffic” on June 15, 2015, in Bhutan with the aim to provide impetus to trade and other economic activities. The agreement has been endorsed by the Cabinets of the four countries. The ministry of road transport and highways notes that the “BBIN countries will be benefit through mutual cross-border movement of passengers and goods for overall economic development of the region. The people of the four countries will benefit through seamless movement of goods and passengers across borders.”
According to the joint statement, the BBIN MVA aims at regulation of passengers, personal and cargo vehicular movement between Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal, which was drafted on the lines of SAARC MVA. On the finalisation of BBIN MVA, land transport arrangements between and among the four countries will be initiated. The agreement seeks to facilitate easy cargo, vehicle and people movement across the borders and ensure traffic rights.
However, the draft stated that all the countries will require permits for the movement across the border based on the specific terms and conditions which will be fixed bilaterally, trilaterally or among the four countries. The agreement also stated that the admission of the non-regular vehicles will be granted temporary admission on a case-to-case basis for a period of up to 30 days and the permit for regular passenger transportation and cargo for multiple entries will be valid for one year and is renewable every year subject to a maximum of five years. This complementary instrument is expected to significantly reduce trade and transaction costs in this subregion and hence give a boost to the region’s trade.
The pact will promote safe, economical, efficient and technologically-sound road transportation in the region through the creation of an institutional mechanism. The agreement will also permit passengers and cargo movement in the four countries without the need to change vehicle at the border based on each country’s terms and conditions.
For instance, three routes for bus service have been identified between India and Nepal which can make the movement without any break at the border posts and changing vehicles.
* Kathmandu-Bhairahawa-Sunauli-Gorakhpur-Lucknow-New Delhi.
* Kathmandu-Bhairahawa-Sunauli-Azamgarh-Varanasi-New Delhi.
* Pokhara-Bharahawa-Sunauli-Gorakhpur-Lucknow-New Delhi.
The agreement also ensures financial independence as each party will bear its own costs arising from the implementation of this agreement and, in case of any implementation difficulties, BBIN MVA platform provides for a mechanism to resolve the issue based on the provisions in the agreement.
The transport ministers have prepared a six-month working plan from July to December 2015 for the implementation of BBIN MVA. Before the agreement gets rolled out, it will undergo three phases of preparation. The first will include the preparation of necessary protocols and bilateral, trilateral or quadrilateral agreement for implementation of the MVA. The second includes negotiations and approval of additional agreements and protocols by September this year. This will also require upgrading and installation of IT systems, regulatory systems and necessary infrastructure to be approved in the third phase by December 2015.
However, effective implementation is hugely dependent on the finance and technical capacity of the least developed countries. Given the lack of experience of the least developed countries of the group (Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal), the role of aid for trade is extremely vital for the subregional MVA for staged implementation from October 2015.
BBIN MVA is a positive development for the subregional grouping and India’s willingness to lead and persuade its ambitious goal for South Asian integration is the need of the hour. Seen as a major diplomatic victory for India, it is a serious effort put in by the group which may influence Pakistan to join the initiative, though it had opposed SAARC MVA in the SAARC Ministerial in Nepal in November 2014. The implementation of this agreement will not just guarantee accessibility to the member countries and their markets but also to the larger ASEAN market, thereby generating new economic opportunities, particularly in border areas. However, the BBIN countries would need to provide impetus to each other’s infrastructure development and extend support in terms of financial and technical knowhow to reap the benefits of economic integration objectified by the MVA.
The ministers of the four countries have laid out a sound draft of the agreement. However, it remains to be seen how effectively the MVA gets translated on the ground. Efficient and speedy implementation of all the modalities of the BBIN will help the region realise the full benefits of the agreement and strengthen regional cooperation.
The author is senior fellow, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi, and policy lead, Knowledge Partnership Programme, IPE Global and DFID India

UN Sustainable Development Goals: Everything you need to know -

What is sustainable development?
The United Nations defines sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Previous dialogues on sustainability have more or less focused on climate change and environmental issues, but the new paradigm of sustainability, as negotiated over the last three years for this summit. includes all efforts towards an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for people and the planet. There is a significant departure from the previous framework to now include a “harmonising” of three elements: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. “Eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development,” the UN has said.
What are the Sustainable Development Goals to be adopted today?
The 193 Member States of the United Nations, following negotiations that lasted from July 2012 till last month, have agreed upon the text of a new document entitled, “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. This agenda contains 17 goals and 169 targets. These will be officially adopted on Friday at the start of the UN Sustainable Development Summit in New York. The goals are to be achieved by all member countries within the next fifteen years, thereby giving it the moniker of ‘Agenda for 2030’.
But what are the goals exactly?
End poverty in all forms; end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture; ensure inclusive and equitable quality education; achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all; ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all; promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment; build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation; reduce inequality within and among countries; make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable; ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns; take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts; conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources; protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss; promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels; strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
Why now?
This agenda builds on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which were adopted in 2000 and were to be achieved by 2015. With 2015 drawing to a close, it’s time for a new set of goals. Also, at the Rio+20 meet in 2012 to mark 20 years of the Rio Environment Summit, world leaders had to concede that decades of environmental activism had not achieved the set targets, leading to a consensus that a new sustainability document was in order for the world to commit itself to. From the Rio+20 conference emerged a report, ‘The Future We Want’, in which were enshrined the principles and markers based on which the negotiations proceeded for the next three years.
Do we need another set of global goals?
The document is being seen as a political document, not a technical one. Criticism that there are too many — 17 goals with 169 targets makes it a complex task to monitor, ensure reporting and hold governments accountable, but the Rio+20 consensus was for a comprehensive document, and this is comprehensive. But while the jury remains out on whether these are achievable and realistic, whether the lack of clarity on monitoring and accountability makes it an exercise in spelling out truisms and platitudes, the fact that this is a political undertaking is important. As undertakings that civil society and citizens can hold leaders accountable for, the goals are significant. Also, given that this is the first time that ALL nations adopt the same set of goals, regardless of their relative position on the development continuum, given that emerging economies in the developing world will play significant roles as donors in their own right even as the developing world negotiates with the developed world to keep its commitments on Official Development Assistance and other forms of financial structural reform, the goals are more than just 17 desirables.
Who foots the bill for the implementation of the agenda?
The fine print on how developed countries are to contribute vis-a-vis developing countries is still being finalised, though the Indian contingent of negotiators is among those G77 countries and China who insisted upon a Means of Implementation section in the document, the latter squarely laying responsibilities upon the developed world to fulfil its commitments on assistance and on transfer of technology to developing countries. For the first time, the role of the private sector and its participation is also being chalked in from the very start of the process. According to UN officials, a “framework of a revitalized global partnership for sustainable development” including the policies and actions arrived at in the Addis Ababa Conference on Financing for Development held in July this year will define the precise nature of resource mobilisation for implementing the goals.
How enthusiastic is civil society, given that it has been part of the consultative provcess of drafting the SDGs?
Indian NGOs say they harbour a healthy skepticism of the goals themselves being achieved, especially in the absence of clearly defined monitoring processes and clarity on resource mobilisation — these are still being negotiated. But their participation as stakeholders means that they continue to engage with the process.
If it’s adopted today, what next?
The 17 SDGs and 169 targets of the new agenda will be monitored and reviewed using a set of global indicators. This framework of indicators is still to be developed and is currently being reviewed by an Inter Agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators. The UN Statistical Commission will finalise these markers or indicators, which will naturally demand capacity-building on data collection in countries, by March 2016. Subsequently, the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly will adopt these indicators. Chief statisticians from Member States are working on the identification of the targets with the aim to have 2 indicators for each target. Governments will also develop their own national indicators to assist in monitoring progress made on the goals and targets. The follow–up and review process will be undertaken on an annual basis by the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development through a SDG Progress Report to be prepared by the Secretary–General
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What is sustainable development?
The United Nations defines sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Previous dialogues on sustainability have more or less focused on climate change and environmental issues, but the new paradigm of sustainability, as negotiated over the last three years for this summit. includes all efforts towards an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for people and the planet. There is a significant departure from the previous framework to now include a “harmonising” of three elements: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. “Eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development,” the UN has said.
What are the Sustainable Development Goals to be adopted today?
The 193 Member States of the United Nations, following negotiations that lasted from July 2012 till last month, have agreed upon the text of a new document entitled, “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. This agenda contains 17 goals and 169 targets. These will be officially adopted on Friday at the start of the UN Sustainable Development Summit in New York. The goals are to be achieved by all member countries within the next fifteen years, thereby giving it the moniker of ‘Agenda for 2030’.
But what are the goals exactly?
End poverty in all forms; end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture; ensure inclusive and equitable quality education; achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all; ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all; promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment; build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation; reduce inequality within and among countries; make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable; ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns; take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts; conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources; protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss; promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels; strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
Why now?
This agenda builds on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which were adopted in 2000 and were to be achieved by 2015. With 2015 drawing to a close, it’s time for a new set of goals. Also, at the Rio+20 meet in 2012 to mark 20 years of the Rio Environment Summit, world leaders had to concede that decades of environmental activism had not achieved the set targets, leading to a consensus that a new sustainability document was in order for the world to commit itself to. From the Rio+20 conference emerged a report, ‘The Future We Want’, in which were enshrined the principles and markers based on which the negotiations proceeded for the next three years.
Do we need another set of global goals?
The document is being seen as a political document, not a technical one. Criticism that there are too many — 17 goals with 169 targets makes it a complex task to monitor, ensure reporting and hold governments accountable, but the Rio+20 consensus was for a comprehensive document, and this is comprehensive. But while the jury remains out on whether these are achievable and realistic, whether the lack of clarity on monitoring and accountability makes it an exercise in spelling out truisms and platitudes, the fact that this is a political undertaking is important. As undertakings that civil society and citizens can hold leaders accountable for, the goals are significant. Also, given that this is the first time that ALL nations adopt the same set of goals, regardless of their relative position on the development continuum, given that emerging economies in the developing world will play significant roles as donors in their own right even as the developing world negotiates with the developed world to keep its commitments on Official Development Assistance and other forms of financial structural reform, the goals are more than just 17 desirables.
Who foots the bill for the implementation of the agenda?
The fine print on how developed countries are to contribute vis-a-vis developing countries is still being finalised, though the Indian contingent of negotiators is among those G77 countries and China who insisted upon a Means of Implementation section in the document, the latter squarely laying responsibilities upon the developed world to fulfil its commitments on assistance and on transfer of technology to developing countries. For the first time, the role of the private sector and its participation is also being chalked in from the very start of the process. According to UN officials, a “framework of a revitalized global partnership for sustainable development” including the policies and actions arrived at in the Addis Ababa Conference on Financing for Development held in July this year will define the precise nature of resource mobilisation for implementing the goals.
How enthusiastic is civil society, given that it has been part of the consultative provcess of drafting the SDGs?
Indian NGOs say they harbour a healthy skepticism of the goals themselves being achieved, especially in the absence of clearly defined monitoring processes and clarity on resource mobilisation — these are still being negotiated. But their participation as stakeholders means that they continue to engage with the process.
If it’s adopted today, what next?
The 17 SDGs and 169 targets of the new agenda will be monitored and reviewed using a set of global indicators. This framework of indicators is still to be developed and is currently being reviewed by an Inter Agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators. The UN Statistical Commission will finalise these markers or indicators, which will naturally demand capacity-building on data collection in countries, by March 2016. Subsequently, the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly will adopt these indicators. Chief statisticians from Member States are working on the identification of the targets with the aim to have 2 indicators for each target. Governments will also develop their own national indicators to assist in monitoring progress made on the goals and targets. The follow–up and review process will be undertaken on an annual basis by the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development through a SDG Progress Report to be prepared by the Secretary–General
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/world/world-news/un-sustainable-development-goals-everything-you-need-to-know/#sthash.bRYNeNjc.dpuf

What is sustainable development?
The United Nations defines sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Previous dialogues on sustainability have more or less focused on climate change and environmental issues, but the new paradigm of sustainability, as negotiated over the last three years for this summit. includes all efforts towards an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for people and the planet. There is a significant departure from the previous framework to now include a “harmonising” of three elements: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. “Eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development,” the UN has said.
What are the Sustainable Development Goals to be adopted today?
The 193 Member States of the United Nations, following negotiations that lasted from July 2012 till last month, have agreed upon the text of a new document entitled, “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. This agenda contains 17 goals and 169 targets. These will be officially adopted on Friday at the start of the UN Sustainable Development Summit in New York. The goals are to be achieved by all member countries within the next fifteen years, thereby giving it the moniker of ‘Agenda for 2030’.
But what are the goals exactly?
End poverty in all forms; end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture; ensure inclusive and equitable quality education; achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all; ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all; promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment; build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation; reduce inequality within and among countries; make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable; ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns; take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts; conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources; protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss; promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels; strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
Why now?
This agenda builds on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which were adopted in 2000 and were to be achieved by 2015. With 2015 drawing to a close, it’s time for a new set of goals. Also, at the Rio+20 meet in 2012 to mark 20 years of the Rio Environment Summit, world leaders had to concede that decades of environmental activism had not achieved the set targets, leading to a consensus that a new sustainability document was in order for the world to commit itself to. From the Rio+20 conference emerged a report, ‘The Future We Want’, in which were enshrined the principles and markers based on which the negotiations proceeded for the next three years.
Do we need another set of global goals?
The document is being seen as a political document, not a technical one. Criticism that there are too many — 17 goals with 169 targets makes it a complex task to monitor, ensure reporting and hold governments accountable, but the Rio+20 consensus was for a comprehensive document, and this is comprehensive. But while the jury remains out on whether these are achievable and realistic, whether the lack of clarity on monitoring and accountability makes it an exercise in spelling out truisms and platitudes, the fact that this is a political undertaking is important. As undertakings that civil society and citizens can hold leaders accountable for, the goals are significant. Also, given that this is the first time that ALL nations adopt the same set of goals, regardless of their relative position on the development continuum, given that emerging economies in the developing world will play significant roles as donors in their own right even as the developing world negotiates with the developed world to keep its commitments on Official Development Assistance and other forms of financial structural reform, the goals are more than just 17 desirables.
Who foots the bill for the implementation of the agenda?
The fine print on how developed countries are to contribute vis-a-vis developing countries is still being finalised, though the Indian contingent of negotiators is among those G77 countries and China who insisted upon a Means of Implementation section in the document, the latter squarely laying responsibilities upon the developed world to fulfil its commitments on assistance and on transfer of technology to developing countries. For the first time, the role of the private sector and its participation is also being chalked in from the very start of the process. According to UN officials, a “framework of a revitalized global partnership for sustainable development” including the policies and actions arrived at in the Addis Ababa Conference on Financing for Development held in July this year will define the precise nature of resource mobilisation for implementing the goals.
How enthusiastic is civil society, given that it has been part of the consultative provcess of drafting the SDGs?
Indian NGOs say they harbour a healthy skepticism of the goals themselves being achieved, especially in the absence of clearly defined monitoring processes and clarity on resource mobilisation — these are still being negotiated. But their participation as stakeholders means that they continue to engage with the process.
If it’s adopted today, what next?
The 17 SDGs and 169 targets of the new agenda will be monitored and reviewed using a set of global indicators. This framework of indicators is still to be developed and is currently being reviewed by an Inter Agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators. The UN Statistical Commission will finalise these markers or indicators, which will naturally demand capacity-building on data collection in countries, by March 2016. Subsequently, the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly will adopt these indicators. Chief statisticians from Member States are working on the identification of the targets with the aim to have 2 indicators for each target. Governments will also develop their own national indicators to assist in monitoring progress made on the goals and targets. The follow–up and review process will be undertaken on an annual basis by the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development through a SDG Progress Report to be prepared by the Secretary–General.
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/world/world-news/un-sustainable-development-goals-everything-you-need-to-know/#sthash.bRYNeNjc.dpuf

What is sustainable development?
The United Nations defines sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Previous dialogues on sustainability have more or less focused on climate change and environmental issues, but the new paradigm of sustainability, as negotiated over the last three years for this summit. includes all efforts towards an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for people and the planet. There is a significant departure from the previous framework to now include a “harmonising” of three elements: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. “Eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development,” the UN has said.
What are the Sustainable Development Goals to be adopted today?
The 193 Member States of the United Nations, following negotiations that lasted from July 2012 till last month, have agreed upon the text of a new document entitled, “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. This agenda contains 17 goals and 169 targets. These will be officially adopted on Friday at the start of the UN Sustainable Development Summit in New York. The goals are to be achieved by all member countries within the next fifteen years, thereby giving it the moniker of ‘Agenda for 2030’.
But what are the goals exactly?
End poverty in all forms; end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture; ensure inclusive and equitable quality education; achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all; ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all; promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment; build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation; reduce inequality within and among countries; make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable; ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns; take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts; conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources; protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss; promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels; strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
Why now?
This agenda builds on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which were adopted in 2000 and were to be achieved by 2015. With 2015 drawing to a close, it’s time for a new set of goals. Also, at the Rio+20 meet in 2012 to mark 20 years of the Rio Environment Summit, world leaders had to concede that decades of environmental activism had not achieved the set targets, leading to a consensus that a new sustainability document was in order for the world to commit itself to. From the Rio+20 conference emerged a report, ‘The Future We Want’, in which were enshrined the principles and markers based on which the negotiations proceeded for the next three years.
Do we need another set of global goals?
The document is being seen as a political document, not a technical one. Criticism that there are too many — 17 goals with 169 targets makes it a complex task to monitor, ensure reporting and hold governments accountable, but the Rio+20 consensus was for a comprehensive document, and this is comprehensive. But while the jury remains out on whether these are achievable and realistic, whether the lack of clarity on monitoring and accountability makes it an exercise in spelling out truisms and platitudes, the fact that this is a political undertaking is important. As undertakings that civil society and citizens can hold leaders accountable for, the goals are significant. Also, given that this is the first time that ALL nations adopt the same set of goals, regardless of their relative position on the development continuum, given that emerging economies in the developing world will play significant roles as donors in their own right even as the developing world negotiates with the developed world to keep its commitments on Official Development Assistance and other forms of financial structural reform, the goals are more than just 17 desirables.
Who foots the bill for the implementation of the agenda?
The fine print on how developed countries are to contribute vis-a-vis developing countries is still being finalised, though the Indian contingent of negotiators is among those G77 countries and China who insisted upon a Means of Implementation section in the document, the latter squarely laying responsibilities upon the developed world to fulfil its commitments on assistance and on transfer of technology to developing countries. For the first time, the role of the private sector and its participation is also being chalked in from the very start of the process. According to UN officials, a “framework of a revitalized global partnership for sustainable development” including the policies and actions arrived at in the Addis Ababa Conference on Financing for Development held in July this year will define the precise nature of resource mobilisation for implementing the goals.
How enthusiastic is civil society, given that it has been part of the consultative provcess of drafting the SDGs?
Indian NGOs say they harbour a healthy skepticism of the goals themselves being achieved, especially in the absence of clearly defined monitoring processes and clarity on resource mobilisation — these are still being negotiated. But their participation as stakeholders means that they continue to engage with the process.
If it’s adopted today, what next?
The 17 SDGs and 169 targets of the new agenda will be monitored and reviewed using a set of global indicators. This framework of indicators is still to be developed and is currently being reviewed by an Inter Agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators. The UN Statistical Commission will finalise these markers or indicators, which will naturally demand capacity-building on data collection in countries, by March 2016. Subsequently, the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly will adopt these indicators. Chief statisticians from Member States are working on the identification of the targets with the aim to have 2 indicators for each target. Governments will also develop their own national indicators to assist in monitoring progress made on the goals and targets. The follow–up and review process will be undertaken on an annual basis by the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development through a SDG Progress Report to be prepared by the Secretary–General.
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/world/world-news/un-sustainable-development-goals-everything-you-need-to-know/#sthash.bRYNeNjc.dpuf

What is sustainable development?
The United Nations defines sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Previous dialogues on sustainability have more or less focused on climate change and environmental issues, but the new paradigm of sustainability, as negotiated over the last three years for this summit. includes all efforts towards an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for people and the planet. There is a significant departure from the previous framework to now include a “harmonising” of three elements: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. “Eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development,” the UN has said.
What are the Sustainable Development Goals to be adopted today?
The 193 Member States of the United Nations, following negotiations that lasted from July 2012 till last month, have agreed upon the text of a new document entitled, “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. This agenda contains 17 goals and 169 targets. These will be officially adopted on Friday at the start of the UN Sustainable Development Summit in New York. The goals are to be achieved by all member countries within the next fifteen years, thereby giving it the moniker of ‘Agenda for 2030’.
But what are the goals exactly?
End poverty in all forms; end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture; ensure inclusive and equitable quality education; achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all; ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all; promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment; build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation; reduce inequality within and among countries; make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable; ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns; take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts; conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources; protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss; promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels; strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
Why now?
This agenda builds on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which were adopted in 2000 and were to be achieved by 2015. With 2015 drawing to a close, it’s time for a new set of goals. Also, at the Rio+20 meet in 2012 to mark 20 years of the Rio Environment Summit, world leaders had to concede that decades of environmental activism had not achieved the set targets, leading to a consensus that a new sustainability document was in order for the world to commit itself to. From the Rio+20 conference emerged a report, ‘The Future We Want’, in which were enshrined the principles and markers based on which the negotiations proceeded for the next three years.
Do we need another set of global goals?
The document is being seen as a political document, not a technical one. Criticism that there are too many — 17 goals with 169 targets makes it a complex task to monitor, ensure reporting and hold governments accountable, but the Rio+20 consensus was for a comprehensive document, and this is comprehensive. But while the jury remains out on whether these are achievable and realistic, whether the lack of clarity on monitoring and accountability makes it an exercise in spelling out truisms and platitudes, the fact that this is a political undertaking is important. As undertakings that civil society and citizens can hold leaders accountable for, the goals are significant. Also, given that this is the first time that ALL nations adopt the same set of goals, regardless of their relative position on the development continuum, given that emerging economies in the developing world will play significant roles as donors in their own right even as the developing world negotiates with the developed world to keep its commitments on Official Development Assistance and other forms of financial structural reform, the goals are more than just 17 desirables.
Who foots the bill for the implementation of the agenda?
The fine print on how developed countries are to contribute vis-a-vis developing countries is still being finalised, though the Indian contingent of negotiators is among those G77 countries and China who insisted upon a Means of Implementation section in the document, the latter squarely laying responsibilities upon the developed world to fulfil its commitments on assistance and on transfer of technology to developing countries. For the first time, the role of the private sector and its participation is also being chalked in from the very start of the process. According to UN officials, a “framework of a revitalized global partnership for sustainable development” including the policies and actions arrived at in the Addis Ababa Conference on Financing for Development held in July this year will define the precise nature of resource mobilisation for implementing the goals.
How enthusiastic is civil society, given that it has been part of the consultative provcess of drafting the SDGs?
Indian NGOs say they harbour a healthy skepticism of the goals themselves being achieved, especially in the absence of clearly defined monitoring processes and clarity on resource mobilisation — these are still being negotiated. But their participation as stakeholders means that they continue to engage with the process.
If it’s adopted today, what next?
The 17 SDGs and 169 targets of the new agenda will be monitored and reviewed using a set of global indicators. This framework of indicators is still to be developed and is currently being reviewed by an Inter Agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators. The UN Statistical Commission will finalise these markers or indicators, which will naturally demand capacity-building on data collection in countries, by March 2016. Subsequently, the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly will adopt these indicators. Chief statisticians from Member States are working on the identification of the targets with the aim to have 2 indicators for each target. Governments will also develop their own national indicators to assist in monitoring progress made on the goals and targets. The follow–up and review process will be undertaken on an annual basis by the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development through a SDG Progress Report to be prepared by the Secretary–General.
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/world/world-news/un-sustainable-development-goals-everything-you-need-to-know/#sthash.bRYNeNjc.dpuf

What is sustainable development?
The United Nations defines sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Previous dialogues on sustainability have more or less focused on climate change and environmental issues, but the new paradigm of sustainability, as negotiated over the last three years for this summit. includes all efforts towards an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for people and the planet. There is a significant departure from the previous framework to now include a “harmonising” of three elements: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. “Eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development,” the UN has said.
What are the Sustainable Development Goals to be adopted today?
The 193 Member States of the United Nations, following negotiations that lasted from July 2012 till last month, have agreed upon the text of a new document entitled, “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. This agenda contains 17 goals and 169 targets. These will be officially adopted on Friday at the start of the UN Sustainable Development Summit in New York. The goals are to be achieved by all member countries within the next fifteen years, thereby giving it the moniker of ‘Agenda for 2030’.
But what are the goals exactly?
End poverty in all forms; end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture; ensure inclusive and equitable quality education; achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all; ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all; promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment; build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation; reduce inequality within and among countries; make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable; ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns; take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts; conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources; protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss; promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels; strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
Why now?
This agenda builds on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which were adopted in 2000 and were to be achieved by 2015. With 2015 drawing to a close, it’s time for a new set of goals. Also, at the Rio+20 meet in 2012 to mark 20 years of the Rio Environment Summit, world leaders had to concede that decades of environmental activism had not achieved the set targets, leading to a consensus that a new sustainability document was in order for the world to commit itself to. From the Rio+20 conference emerged a report, ‘The Future We Want’, in which were enshrined the principles and markers based on which the negotiations proceeded for the next three years.
Do we need another set of global goals?
The document is being seen as a political document, not a technical one. Criticism that there are too many — 17 goals with 169 targets makes it a complex task to monitor, ensure reporting and hold governments accountable, but the Rio+20 consensus was for a comprehensive document, and this is comprehensive. But while the jury remains out on whether these are achievable and realistic, whether the lack of clarity on monitoring and accountability makes it an exercise in spelling out truisms and platitudes, the fact that this is a political undertaking is important. As undertakings that civil society and citizens can hold leaders accountable for, the goals are significant. Also, given that this is the first time that ALL nations adopt the same set of goals, regardless of their relative position on the development continuum, given that emerging economies in the developing world will play significant roles as donors in their own right even as the developing world negotiates with the developed world to keep its commitments on Official Development Assistance and other forms of financial structural reform, the goals are more than just 17 desirables.
Who foots the bill for the implementation of the agenda?
The fine print on how developed countries are to contribute vis-a-vis developing countries is still being finalised, though the Indian contingent of negotiators is among those G77 countries and China who insisted upon a Means of Implementation section in the document, the latter squarely laying responsibilities upon the developed world to fulfil its commitments on assistance and on transfer of technology to developing countries. For the first time, the role of the private sector and its participation is also being chalked in from the very start of the process. According to UN officials, a “framework of a revitalized global partnership for sustainable development” including the policies and actions arrived at in the Addis Ababa Conference on Financing for Development held in July this year will define the precise nature of resource mobilisation for implementing the goals.
How enthusiastic is civil society, given that it has been part of the consultative provcess of drafting the SDGs?
Indian NGOs say they harbour a healthy skepticism of the goals themselves being achieved, especially in the absence of clearly defined monitoring processes and clarity on resource mobilisation — these are still being negotiated. But their participation as stakeholders means that they continue to engage with the process.
If it’s adopted today, what next?
The 17 SDGs and 169 targets of the new agenda will be monitored and reviewed using a set of global indicators. This framework of indicators is still to be developed and is currently being reviewed by an Inter Agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators. The UN Statistical Commission will finalise these markers or indicators, which will naturally demand capacity-building on data collection in countries, by March 2016. Subsequently, the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly will adopt these indicators. Chief statisticians from Member States are working on the identification of the targets with the aim to have 2 indicators for each target. Governments will also develop their own national indicators to assist in monitoring progress made on the goals and targets. The follow–up and review process will be undertaken on an annual basis by the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development through a SDG Progress Report to be prepared by the Secretary–General.
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/world/world-news/un-sustainable-development-goals-everything-you-need-to-know/#sthash.bRYNeNjc.dpuf

What is sustainable development?
The United Nations defines sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Previous dialogues on sustainability have more or less focused on climate change and environmental issues, but the new paradigm of sustainability, as negotiated over the last three years for this summit. includes all efforts towards an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for people and the planet. There is a significant departure from the previous framework to now include a “harmonising” of three elements: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. “Eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development,” the UN has said.
What are the Sustainable Development Goals to be adopted today?
The 193 Member States of the United Nations, following negotiations that lasted from July 2012 till last month, have agreed upon the text of a new document entitled, “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. This agenda contains 17 goals and 169 targets. These will be officially adopted on Friday at the start of the UN Sustainable Development Summit in New York. The goals are to be achieved by all member countries within the next fifteen years, thereby giving it the moniker of ‘Agenda for 2030’.
But what are the goals exactly?
End poverty in all forms; end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture; ensure inclusive and equitable quality education; achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all; ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all; promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment; build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation; reduce inequality within and among countries; make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable; ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns; take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts; conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources; protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss; promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels; strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
Why now?
This agenda builds on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which were adopted in 2000 and were to be achieved by 2015. With 2015 drawing to a close, it’s time for a new set of goals. Also, at the Rio+20 meet in 2012 to mark 20 years of the Rio Environment Summit, world leaders had to concede that decades of environmental activism had not achieved the set targets, leading to a consensus that a new sustainability document was in order for the world to commit itself to. From the Rio+20 conference emerged a report, ‘The Future We Want’, in which were enshrined the principles and markers based on which the negotiations proceeded for the next three years.
Do we need another set of global goals?
The document is being seen as a political document, not a technical one. Criticism that there are too many — 17 goals with 169 targets makes it a complex task to monitor, ensure reporting and hold governments accountable, but the Rio+20 consensus was for a comprehensive document, and this is comprehensive. But while the jury remains out on whether these are achievable and realistic, whether the lack of clarity on monitoring and accountability makes it an exercise in spelling out truisms and platitudes, the fact that this is a political undertaking is important. As undertakings that civil society and citizens can hold leaders accountable for, the goals are significant. Also, given that this is the first time that ALL nations adopt the same set of goals, regardless of their relative position on the development continuum, given that emerging economies in the developing world will play significant roles as donors in their own right even as the developing world negotiates with the developed world to keep its commitments on Official Development Assistance and other forms of financial structural reform, the goals are more than just 17 desirables.
Who foots the bill for the implementation of the agenda?
The fine print on how developed countries are to contribute vis-a-vis developing countries is still being finalised, though the Indian contingent of negotiators is among those G77 countries and China who insisted upon a Means of Implementation section in the document, the latter squarely laying responsibilities upon the developed world to fulfil its commitments on assistance and on transfer of technology to developing countries. For the first time, the role of the private sector and its participation is also being chalked in from the very start of the process. According to UN officials, a “framework of a revitalized global partnership for sustainable development” including the policies and actions arrived at in the Addis Ababa Conference on Financing for Development held in July this year will define the precise nature of resource mobilisation for implementing the goals.
How enthusiastic is civil society, given that it has been part of the consultative provcess of drafting the SDGs?
Indian NGOs say they harbour a healthy skepticism of the goals themselves being achieved, especially in the absence of clearly defined monitoring processes and clarity on resource mobilisation — these are still being negotiated. But their participation as stakeholders means that they continue to engage with the process.
If it’s adopted today, what next?
The 17 SDGs and 169 targets of the new agenda will be monitored and reviewed using a set of global indicators. This framework of indicators is still to be developed and is currently being reviewed by an Inter Agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators. The UN Statistical Commission will finalise these markers or indicators, which will naturally demand capacity-building on data collection in countries, by March 2016. Subsequently, the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly will adopt these indicators. Chief statisticians from Member States are working on the identification of the targets with the aim to have 2 indicators for each target. Governments will also develop their own national indicators to assist in monitoring progress made on the goals and targets. The follow–up and review process will be undertaken on an annual basis by the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development through a SDG Progress Report to be prepared by the Secretary–General.
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/world/world-news/un-sustainable-development-goals-everything-you-need-to-know/#sthash.bRYNeNjc.dpuf

What is sustainable development?
The United Nations defines sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Previous dialogues on sustainability have more or less focused on climate change and environmental issues, but the new paradigm of sustainability, as negotiated over the last three years for this summit. includes all efforts towards an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for people and the planet. There is a significant departure from the previous framework to now include a “harmonising” of three elements: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. “Eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development,” the UN has said.
What are the Sustainable Development Goals to be adopted today?
The 193 Member States of the United Nations, following negotiations that lasted from July 2012 till last month, have agreed upon the text of a new document entitled, “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. This agenda contains 17 goals and 169 targets. These will be officially adopted on Friday at the start of the UN Sustainable Development Summit in New York. The goals are to be achieved by all member countries within the next fifteen years, thereby giving it the moniker of ‘Agenda for 2030’.
But what are the goals exactly?
End poverty in all forms; end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture; ensure inclusive and equitable quality education; achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all; ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all; promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment; build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation; reduce inequality within and among countries; make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable; ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns; take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts; conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources; protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss; promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels; strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
Why now?
This agenda builds on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which were adopted in 2000 and were to be achieved by 2015. With 2015 drawing to a close, it’s time for a new set of goals. Also, at the Rio+20 meet in 2012 to mark 20 years of the Rio Environment Summit, world leaders had to concede that decades of environmental activism had not achieved the set targets, leading to a consensus that a new sustainability document was in order for the world to commit itself to. From the Rio+20 conference emerged a report, ‘The Future We Want’, in which were enshrined the principles and markers based on which the negotiations proceeded for the next three years.
Do we need another set of global goals?
The document is being seen as a political document, not a technical one. Criticism that there are too many — 17 goals with 169 targets makes it a complex task to monitor, ensure reporting and hold governments accountable, but the Rio+20 consensus was for a comprehensive document, and this is comprehensive. But while the jury remains out on whether these are achievable and realistic, whether the lack of clarity on monitoring and accountability makes it an exercise in spelling out truisms and platitudes, the fact that this is a political undertaking is important. As undertakings that civil society and citizens can hold leaders accountable for, the goals are significant. Also, given that this is the first time that ALL nations adopt the same set of goals, regardless of their relative position on the development continuum, given that emerging economies in the developing world will play significant roles as donors in their own right even as the developing world negotiates with the developed world to keep its commitments on Official Development Assistance and other forms of financial structural reform, the goals are more than just 17 desirables.
Who foots the bill for the implementation of the agenda?
The fine print on how developed countries are to contribute vis-a-vis developing countries is still being finalised, though the Indian contingent of negotiators is among those G77 countries and China who insisted upon a Means of Implementation section in the document, the latter squarely laying responsibilities upon the developed world to fulfil its commitments on assistance and on transfer of technology to developing countries. For the first time, the role of the private sector and its participation is also being chalked in from the very start of the process. According to UN officials, a “framework of a revitalized global partnership for sustainable development” including the policies and actions arrived at in the Addis Ababa Conference on Financing for Development held in July this year will define the precise nature of resource mobilisation for implementing the goals.
How enthusiastic is civil society, given that it has been part of the consultative provcess of drafting the SDGs?
Indian NGOs say they harbour a healthy skepticism of the goals themselves being achieved, especially in the absence of clearly defined monitoring processes and clarity on resource mobilisation — these are still being negotiated. But their participation as stakeholders means that they continue to engage with the process.
If it’s adopted today, what next?
The 17 SDGs and 169 targets of the new agenda will be monitored and reviewed using a set of global indicators. This framework of indicators is still to be developed and is currently being reviewed by an Inter Agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators. The UN Statistical Commission will finalise these markers or indicators, which will naturally demand capacity-building on data collection in countries, by March 2016. Subsequently, the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly will adopt these indicators. Chief statisticians from Member States are working on the identification of the targets with the aim to have 2 indicators for each target. Governments will also develop their own national indicators to assist in monitoring progress made on the goals and targets. The follow–up and review process will be undertaken on an annual basis by the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development through a SDG Progress Report to be prepared by the Secretary–General.
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/world/world-news/un-sustainable-development-goals-everything-you-need-to-know/#sthash.bRYNeNjc.dpuf

What is sustainable development?
The United Nations defines sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Previous dialogues on sustainability have more or less focused on climate change and environmental issues, but the new paradigm of sustainability, as negotiated over the last three years for this summit. includes all efforts towards an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for people and the planet. There is a significant departure from the previous framework to now include a “harmonising” of three elements: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. “Eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions is an indispensable requirement for sustainable development,” the UN has said.
What are the Sustainable Development Goals to be adopted today?
The 193 Member States of the United Nations, following negotiations that lasted from July 2012 till last month, have agreed upon the text of a new document entitled, “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. This agenda contains 17 goals and 169 targets. These will be officially adopted on Friday at the start of the UN Sustainable Development Summit in New York. The goals are to be achieved by all member countries within the next fifteen years, thereby giving it the moniker of ‘Agenda for 2030’.
But what are the goals exactly?
End poverty in all forms; end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture; ensure inclusive and equitable quality education; achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls; ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all; ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all; promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment; build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation; reduce inequality within and among countries; make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable; ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns; take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts; conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources; protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss; promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels; strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
Why now?
This agenda builds on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which were adopted in 2000 and were to be achieved by 2015. With 2015 drawing to a close, it’s time for a new set of goals. Also, at the Rio+20 meet in 2012 to mark 20 years of the Rio Environment Summit, world leaders had to concede that decades of environmental activism had not achieved the set targets, leading to a consensus that a new sustainability document was in order for the world to commit itself to. From the Rio+20 conference emerged a report, ‘The Future We Want’, in which were enshrined the principles and markers based on which the negotiations proceeded for the next three years.
Do we need another set of global goals?
The document is being seen as a political document, not a technical one. Criticism that there are too many — 17 goals with 169 targets makes it a complex task to monitor, ensure reporting and hold governments accountable, but the Rio+20 consensus was for a comprehensive document, and this is comprehensive. But while the jury remains out on whether these are achievable and realistic, whether the lack of clarity on monitoring and accountability makes it an exercise in spelling out truisms and platitudes, the fact that this is a political undertaking is important. As undertakings that civil society and citizens can hold leaders accountable for, the goals are significant. Also, given that this is the first time that ALL nations adopt the same set of goals, regardless of their relative position on the development continuum, given that emerging economies in the developing world will play significant roles as donors in their own right even as the developing world negotiates with the developed world to keep its commitments on Official Development Assistance and other forms of financial structural reform, the goals are more than just 17 desirables.
Who foots the bill for the implementation of the agenda?
The fine print on how developed countries are to contribute vis-a-vis developing countries is still being finalised, though the Indian contingent of negotiators is among those G77 countries and China who insisted upon a Means of Implementation section in the document, the latter squarely laying responsibilities upon the developed world to fulfil its commitments on assistance and on transfer of technology to developing countries. For the first time, the role of the private sector and its participation is also being chalked in from the very start of the process. According to UN officials, a “framework of a revitalized global partnership for sustainable development” including the policies and actions arrived at in the Addis Ababa Conference on Financing for Development held in July this year will define the precise nature of resource mobilisation for implementing the goals.
How enthusiastic is civil society, given that it has been part of the consultative provcess of drafting the SDGs?
Indian NGOs say they harbour a healthy skepticism of the goals themselves being achieved, especially in the absence of clearly defined monitoring processes and clarity on resource mobilisation — these are still being negotiated. But their participation as stakeholders means that they continue to engage with the process.
If it’s adopted today, what next?
The 17 SDGs and 169 targets of the new agenda will be monitored and reviewed using a set of global indicators. This framework of indicators is still to be developed and is currently being reviewed by an Inter Agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators. The UN Statistical Commission will finalise these markers or indicators, which will naturally demand capacity-building on data collection in countries, by March 2016. Subsequently, the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly will adopt these indicators. Chief statisticians from Member States are working on the identification of the targets with the aim to have 2 indicators for each target. Governments will also develop their own national indicators to assist in monitoring progress made on the goals and targets. The follow–up and review process will be undertaken on an annual basis by the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development through a SDG Progress Report to be prepared by the Secretary–General.
- See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/world/world-news/un-sustainable-development-goals-everything-you-need-to-know/#sthash.bRYNeNjc.dpuf

govt moves to rectify lacunae in rural health architecture

en years down the line since the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) was put in place, challenges to ensure quality and affordable health services in large swathes of the country’s rural belts are being tackled with renewed vigour.
 Latest rural health statistics reveal that  gaps are to be bridged  and much has been accomplished despite a plethora of challenges  on the road in the wake of increasing expectations in rural regions.   

Manpower has been increased and infrastructure refurbished for the rural health set up to match ever increasing aspirations of people who are becoming more aware of quality health services available in urban stretches and government endeavours to improve health care delivery in rural regions. At some places ,more facilities and  manpower  are required  lest it cast an adverse impact on the services.The NRHM common review commission has undertaken a close look on the set up to  improve services .

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is exploring ways and means to ensure proper  utilisation of  public spending on the system, confronted with multiple challenges. Several state governments are also intensifying efforts to ensure sound healthcare in rural belts.

The NRHM seeks to provide effective healthcare to rural population throughout the country with special focus on 18 States, which have weak public health indicators and infrastructure.   The States are Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

NRHM aims to undertake architectural correction of the health system to enable it to effectively handle increased allocations and promote policies that strengthen public health management and service delivery in the country. It seeks decentralisation of programmes for district management of health and to address the inter-State and inter-district disparities, with emphasis on the 18 high focus States, including unmet needs for public health infrastructure. It also seeks to improve access of rural people, especially poor women and children, to equitable, affordable, accountable and effective primary healthcare.

The last common review commission which had met late last year found some “encouraging facts”  like adequate number of health facilities as per population norms in most states except Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Bihar, the investment in infrastructure responsive to caseloads and increasing trends in OPD load at every level.

The findings also revealed availability of secondary care at district hospitals in most states, except districts in Uttarakhand (Tehri), Chhattisgarh (Jashpur), and Uttar Pradesh (Shravasti);Tamil Nadu and Kerala demonstrate relatively better availability of services at SDH/Taluka level as compared to other states.

Other features include laboratory services at sub-district level are available but not comprehensive; Tamil Nadu has a robust system of diagnostics, Odisha has taken efforts towards integration of laboratory services across various programs and optimise HR utilisation; co-location of AYUSH services in most states;and increased utilisation of 108 ambulances.

The review commission had also highlighted some concerns  which inter alia include availability of radiological investigations only at district level in most contexts;  Range of diagnostic services is limited at Sub-District level hospital and below and assured OPD care at sub-district level is still a challenge in most states.

It also found that time to care approach is yet to set in across the States; Non-Integration of various models of ambulances  leading ineffective utilisation;Under utilisation of Mobile Medical Units; Grievance redressal mechanisms yet to be established & where available, their effectiveness is limited. Informatively, the NRHM is an articulation of the commitment of the government to raise to 2-3% public spending on health from 0.9% of GDP.

After the review commission meeting, another survey was conducted mainly to collect statistics. The latest rural health figures has highlighted that as on March 31, this year, 8.1% of the PHCs (primary health centres) were without a doctor, 38.1% a lab technician and 21.9% a pharmacist. The Community Health Centres (CHC) provide specialised medical care of surgeons, obstetricians & gynaecologists, physicians and paediatricians.

The latest survey, which compiled data on various parameters, found that progress has been made on various fronts but experts feel the limited public spending is one of the key reasons which hobbled development of the sound rural health network, and medical crisis spell doom for families running on shoestring or zero budget as they have no means to afford timely and quality healthcare.

The survey noted that in India, 1,022 Sub Divisional/ Sub District Hospitals were functioning till March. At Sub Divisional/Sub District Hospitals, there are 10,018 doctors available. In addition to the doctors, about 26,717 paramedical staffs are also available at Sub Divisional/ Sub District Hospitals.

As many as 763 District Hospitals are functioning with 18,437 doctors available. In addition, about 55,642 para medical staff were also available at District Hospitals as on  March 31, 2015. Diarrhoea, typhoid, infectious hepatitis, worm infestations, measles, tuberculosis, whooping cough, respiratory infections, pneumonia and reproductive tract infections were also very common in rural pockets. Maternity and child mortality were high.   Almost 50 percent of the rural mothers were said to experience post partum illnesses six weeks after delivery.

The current position of specialist manpower at CHCs reveals that as on March, 2015, out of the sanctioned posts, 74.6% of surgeons, 65.4% of obstetricians & gynaecologists, 68.1% of physicians and 62.8% of paediatricians were vacant. Overall, 67.6% of the sanctioned posts of specialists at CHCs were vacant.

Moreover, as compared to requirement for existing infrastructure, there was a shortfall of 83.4% of surgeons, 76.3% of obstetricians & gynaecologists, 83.0% of physicians and 82.1% of paediatricians. Overall, there was a shortfall of 81.2% specialists at the CHCs.

The shortfall of specialists is significantly high in most of the States. As on March  31, 2015, there were 153,655 Sub Centres (SCs), 25,308 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and 5,396 Community Health Centres (CHCs) functioning in the country.

While the Sub Centres, PHCs and CHCs have increased in number in 2014-15, they are not sufficient to meet their population norm, the government survey had pointed out. Experts say unless public spending was increased on health, the infrastructure despite having bare minimum staff and facilities, it would not be able meet needs of patients in remote and inhospitable terrain. Locals do not have adequate funds to meet expenditure on medical treatment and the government has to ensure free distribution of generic drugs. Many of them say that corruption and middle level players had to be bridled to ensure that every penny spent on health services reaches the needy in time.

Surveillance must be mounted to control the existing staff too and frequents raids on rural health centres of all types were the need of the hour. Number of existing Sub Centres increased from 146,026 in 2005 to 153,655 by March 2015. There is significant increase in the number of Sub Centres in the States of Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tripura and Uttarakhand.

There has been an addition of 1,329 Sub Centres, during the year 2014-15. Significant increases in the number of Sub Centres have been reported in the States of Gujarat (789) and Madhya Pradesh (428).  Percentage of Sub Centres functioning in Government buildings has increased from 50% in 2005 to 67.5% in 2015.

The increase is mainly due to addition in the number of government buildings in the States of Assam, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. As on  March 31, the overall shortfall in the posts of HW(F)/ ANM( Auxiliary Nurse Midwife ) at SCs & PHCs was 5.21% of the total requirement, mainly due to shortfall in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

Number of PHCs has risen by 2072 during the period 2005-2015.Significant increase is observed in the number of PHCs in the States of Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka and Rajasthan.

The number of PHCs has increased by 288 during the year 2014-15. Significant increases in the number of PHCs have been observed in the States of Karnataka (120) and Gujarat (89).  Number of ANMs at Sub Centres and PHCs has increased from 133,194 in 2005 to 212,185 in 2015. 

   Percentage of PHCs functioning in government buildings has increased significantly from 78% in 2005 to 89.5% in 2015. This is mainly due to increase in the government buildings in the States of Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh.  The number of allopathic doctors at PHCs has increased from 20,308 in 2005 to 27,421 in 2015, which is about 35.0% increase.

The statistics say shortfall of allopathic doctors in PHCs was 11.9% of the total requirement for existing infrastructure. Number of Community Health Centres (CHC ) has increased by 2050 during the period 2005-2015.    

Significant increase is observed in the number of CHCs in the States of Gujarat, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. There has been an augmentation of 33 CHCs from the number reported upto March, 2014. Significant increase in the number of CHCs was observed in the State of Gujarat (20).  Number of CHCs functioning in government buildings has also increased during the period 2005-2015.

The percentage of CHCs in Govt. buildings has increased from 91.6% in 2005 to 95.1% in 2015.   Significant increase in the number of paramedical staff is also observed in 2015 when compared with the position of 2005. In addition to 4,078 Specialists, 11,822 General Duty Medical Officers (GDMOs) are also available at CHCs. There was huge shortfall of surgeons (83.4%), obstetricians & gynaecologists (76.3%), physicians (83.0%) and paediatricians (82.1%).

Overall, there was a shortfall of 81.2% specialists at the CHCs vis-a-vis the requirement for existing CHCs. While the number of Sub Centres, PHCs and CHCs have increased during the year 2014-15, the number of ANMs, Specialists & Radiographers declined, though marginally from the position in 2013.

The number of ANMs at Sub Centres and PHCs has declined from 2,13,400 in 2014 to 2,12,185 in 2015 (decrease of 1,215). Major reductions are observed in the States of Maharashtra (466), Tamil Nadu (619), Jammu & Kashmir (292), Rajasthan (259), Tripura (185) and Madhya Pradesh (168). Similarly, the number of allopathic doctors at PHCs increased from 27,355 in 2014 to 27,421 in 2015.

There are significant increases in the States of Maharashtra (431), Rajasthan (301), Tamil Nadu (236) and Haryana (94). Major reduction is observed in the State of Jammu & Kashmir (390).  Regarding the specialist doctors at CHCs, the number has declined from 4,091 in 2014 to 4,078 in 2015. Major decreases have been noticed in the States of Rajasthan  and Punjab .

Constitution sans consensus

Constitution sans consensus

Eight years after the adoption of an interim Constitution that heralded a peace process, Nepal has finally managed to promulgate a Constitution. The path to becoming a secular, federal, democratic and republican Nepal — as the Constitution envisages it to be — was tortuous, and it could not be concluded on the basis of a consensus among the elected legislators in the Constituent Assembly (CA). But it has moved Nepal significantly and in a progressive manner away from the 1990 Constitution that maintained the state as a constitutional monarchy ruled by a Hindu king. That said, did Nepal’s polity — 507 out of the 601 lawmakers in the re-elected CA voted in favour of promulgation, with 69 abstentions, mostly by legislators from the Terai, and 25 from the Opposition — live up to the promises in the interim Constitution, which was itself the outcome of the Jan Andolan seeking republicanism and state restructuring? The substantive answer to that question must be in the negative. For one, the promulgation happened even as violent protests raged in the Terai against “injustice” meted out to the Madhesis. The protestors were upset that the federal restructuring of Nepal into seven provinces left the Madhesis divided among five provinces, with only one of them having a majority of plains-origin people. Clearly, the lack of consensus in the run-up to the promulgation will remain a political sticking point in the restructuring process. The leaders of the three main political parties — the Nepali Congress, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) and the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) — have affirmed that the federal boundaries could be changed later. But it begs the question why even after seven years of deliberations the concerns of the Madhesis were not taken on board. The conclusion is that the hill elite have thwarted what could have been a truly inclusive and democratic Constitution.

There were also other reasons for discontent over the new Constitution. These include the delineation of electoral constituencies in the Terai (where more than 50 per cent of Nepal’s people live) which has not been done on the basis of the population in the plains; this creates a grievance about gerrymandering. Other complaints relate to citizenship norms that disallow children of Nepali mothers married to foreigners from inheriting Nepali citizenship. All said, the people of Nepal would be somewhat relieved that there has been a degree of closure to the Constitution-writing process. The recent earthquake had only worsened economic conditions and there was a sense of fatigue with the Constitution-writing process. The people required their polity to focus on governance in a stable Nepal. The polity could do well to take the necessary constitutional steps to address the Madhesi concerns and to live up to these expectations on governance.