States and Union Territories are innovating to accelerate Sustainable Development Goals

Jaipur : The National Conference on Accelerating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), organized by NITI Aayog in partnership with the host Government of Rajasthan and UNDP and UN, started on Monday at Rajasthan International Centre. The inaugural session was held under the chairmanship of Shri Suman Beri, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog. Senior government officials from 31 states and union territories and ministries of the Government of India participated in the two-day conference.
Shri Suman Berry, Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, in his address said that this conference exemplifies the role of NITI as a platform to share learnings and good practices on SDGs from across the country. I am extremely encouraged by the tremendous innovation taking place across states and union territories to take the SDGs forward at the district, block and local level.
Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog said that the objective of this conference is to convene the States and Union Territories to take stock on SDG localisation, exchange experiences on institutionalizing SDGs at the subnational level, explore the SDG finance scenario at the national and subnational level. and conclude by devising a path to accelerate progress.
During this time Dr. V.K. Paul, Member (Health) NITI Aayog in his inaugural address said that we must continuously advance the SDGs. I am sure that this conference will focus not only on low-risk or high-impact targets, but also on difficult targets.
State Chief Secretary Shri Sudhansh Pant in his welcome address said that accelerating progress on SDGs is an important step for a developed India and developed Rajasthan. I am sure that the conference will further strengthen our collective efforts.
Dr. Yogesh Suri, Senior Advisor (SDG), NITI Aayog, stressed the urgency of accelerating development outcomes at the subnational level, saying India will play a leading role in determining the relative success of the SDGs. The world and our states and union territories will play an important role in this journey.
Mr Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator, said I would like to commend NITI Aayog for leading this impressive level of SDG localisation, and enhancing monitoring of the SDGs at national and sub-national levels.