NITI in collaboration with state transformation and development department on Thursday organised a Northeastern Region workshop on enhancing SDG (sustainable development goals) outcomes at the district-level under State Support Mission (SSM) here.
Addressing the inaugural programme as chief guest at the workshop held in Guwahati, Assam transport and Bodoland welfare department minister Charan Boro in his keynote address said that the sustainable development goals are global goals whose real success are measured locally.
“They must be felt in villages, towns, schools and homes,” Boro said while speaking at length about how Assam had moved from an aspirant to a front-runner in the SDG India index under the able guidance of chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
V.K Paul, member (Health), NITI Aayog, delivering a special address, acknowledged the role of UNDP and said India would shine if the SDGs remain a priority. He emphasised the need to identify gaps and develop a clear action plan.
Narayan Chandra Borkataky, vice-chairman of SITA (State Innovation and Transformation Aayog), Assam, in his special address, commended NITI Aayog for its continued commitment to strengthening cooperative federalism and supporting states in achieving the SDGs.
Assam chief secretary Ravi Kota, in his inaugural address, spoke at length about the initiatives undertaken since 2016, during his tenure in the finance department, which were closely aligned with the objectives of SDGs.
Kota highlighted how these measures laid the foundation for inclusive and sustainable development.
Emphasising collective responsibility, the chief secretary called upon all the Northeastern states to reflect on where they currently stand in terms of SDG achievements, identify gaps and work together to move forward in a focused and coordinated manner.
This workshop served as a collaborative platform bringing together the leadership of the Northeastern states, including chief secretaries, planning secretaries and district collectors, alongside representatives from the NITI Aayog, Ministry of DoNER, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, UNDP and GIZ with the goal to institutionalise a rejuvenated administrative culture through the technical support of the State Support Mission (SSM) and the SDG Coordination and Action Centres (SDGCAC).
