A conference on Indo-German cooperation for sustainable development goal (SDG) localisation was held here today.
Organised by the Planning, Investment, Promotion & Sustainable Development Department, the conference discussed the progress of Indo-German cooperation towards attaining the United Nations’ SDGs.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said that the numbers are not great for Meghalaya when it comes to SDGs due to a lot of challenges. “I am very confident that we are moving in the right direction. Today, there is a different kind of commitment and passion with which our young officers are working. In the last seven years, we have been able to make our teams and officers believe that we can achieve the goals,” he was quoted as saying in a press release.
Chief Secretary Donald P Wahlang stated in his address that “the SDGs bring about transformative changes.”. He also underlined how crucial it is to provide effective delivery of services to individuals living in remote locations. He further acknowledged the infrastructure development of 2,000 schools in Meghalaya.
Gerald Guskowski of GIZ (the German government’s development agency) shared an overview of the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP) with the Meghalaya government and NITI Aayog and pointed out critical areas of work that will be done toward sustainable development initiatives across the state. SDGs are not only a pathway for sustainable development but also a powerful tool for empowerment, he stated.
Guskowski while commenting on the partnership with Meghalaya said, “This cooperation is not just an agreement, but a shared vision for a prosperous and sustained relationship. Together, we are building a model for other states within the region to follow a model of partnership which is impactful and resilient.” He also emphasised making data driven decisions to address the challenges on achieving SDGs.
