With an aim to drive sustainable and inclusive development in the country, NITI Aayog and UNDP have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate SDGs in India.

As a part of the MoU—signed for five years, the two entities will monitor and use data driven insights derived from implementing plans and strategies of localized SDGs. Data generated through the tracking mechanism will enable the implementation agencies to brainstorm and develop policies to uplift underdeveloped regions of the country, make them sustainable. Aimed at the regions especially earmarked in the Aspirational Districts and Blocks program, the collaboration will motivate the state and the central agencies to collaborate to achieve common development goals.

BVR Subrahmanyan, CEO, NITI Aayog, said, “With monitoring going beyond districts down to the block level, we see this partnership fostering data-driven policy interventions and programmatic action. This data-centric approach is expected to facilitate more precise and effective policy decisions, contributing to sustainable development.”

Shoko Noda, Resident Representative, UNDP India, said, “Midway to 2030, India’s leadership is critical for making the SDGs a reality. India nearly halved multidimensional poverty between 2015-2016 and 2019-2021, demonstrating that despite complex challenges, accelerating progress towards the Goals is possible. Through this MoU with NITI Aayog, UNDP stands ready to enhance its support for localization of the SDGs, data-driven decision-making through various indices, the Aspirational Districts and Blocks program, and SDG financing. UNDP will also provide support for NITI Aayog’s work on women’s livelihoods, innovation, and Mission LiFE.”