Namaste,

Our world today is in turmoil – facing multiple and overlapping crises from which no country, no community is immune. 

The pandemic and war come against the backdrop of the greatest existential threat of all, climate change.

And cities, local governments, and communities have been and still are at the centre of the emergencies we face.

Approaching the halfway mark, the 2030 Agenda remains as relevant as ever – the world's compass for navigating turbulent, uncharted waters.

The SDGs recognize that world is interlinked to an unprecedented degree – and today’s crises leave no doubt that need to come together and join forces.

The level to which this message of interconnectedness has been embraced in India – from the Centre and States down to the District and individual household level – is truly impressive.

I commend the Government of India and NITI Aayog for the remarkable degree to which the SDGs have been localized – indicators and targets embedded into planning, budgeting and monitoring frameworks at all levels of government.

The achievement of the SDGs will require multi-level governance systems and policies that consider local realities and the role of local actors.

That is why the UN is further strengthening its support to local action and local leadership, through the Local 2030 Coalition, the UN-wide initiative on localising the SDGs within the Decade of Action. The Coalition provides the opportunity to bring lessons for the world of the “Indian Model” we are sharing today.

We across the UN System are proud, committed partners with India, along this journey to help chart the course – because as India leads and achieves towards sustainable, inclusive, green recovery, the region, and the world, will as well.