Latest news with #SDG
Hans India
9 minutes ago
- General
- Hans India
GITAM achieves global recognition in THE rankings
Visakhapatnam: GITAM Deemed to be University earned significant global recognition in the recently announced Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025. The prestigious rankings evaluate universities across the globe on their contributions to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), utilising 220 indicators and 105 comprehensive metrics to assess impact. In a major milestone, GITAM has been ranked across all 17 SDGs, a distinction achieved by only a select group of higher education institutions worldwide. This accomplishment places the institution among an elite cadre of global universities that are actively driving sustainable development and societal progress. A standout achievement in this year's rankings is the institution's global top 100 rank in SDG 7 – affordable and clean energy, where the institution secured the 81st position internationally, showcasing its commitment to promoting clean and accessible energy solutions. R Raja Prabhu, director, accreditation, rankings & IQAC, highlighted the institution's progressive journey towards sustainability. In the state of Andhra Pradesh, the institution stands as the only higher education institution to achieve the top position in fulfilling a wide array of SDG targets, including quality education, good health and wellbeing, decent work and economic growth, reduced inequalities, industry, innovation and infrastructure, climate action, etc.
AllAfrica
a day ago
- Politics
- AllAfrica
Can Asia lead a fractured and shifting world?
In a time when global trust is unravelling and crises overlap like fault lines, the world feels like a house with its foundations shifting. Climate change is accelerating faster than anticipated. Inequality is deepening. The international order is filled with noise but devoid of direction. Wars have returned to Europe and the Middle East. Major powers are polarizing internally, and solidarity between nations is losing its meaning. And yet, in the midst of this global turbulence, one region is quietly moving in the opposite direction: Asia. According to the Sustainable Development Report 2025, East and South Asia have recorded the fastest progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since 2015. Driven by rapid gains in poverty reduction, education and public health, the region now stands at the forefront of global SDG momentum. But this progress is emerging within a broken world. The war in Ukraine, ongoing conflict in Gaza, rising protectionism, and a breakdown in global financial fairness have disrupted supply chains, inflated food and energy prices, and forced many developing countries to choose between debt repayment and feeding their populations. The United States and Europe, preoccupied with domestic priorities and regional security, have stepped back from the role of global development champions. As the SDR 2025 warns, 'international spillovers and exposure to supply-chain disruptions' have become a defining threat to SDG progress, especially in conflict zones or economies under sanctions. The consequences are stark: globally, only around 17% of SDG targets are on track to be achieved by 2030. The rest are stagnating or regressing. This is not due to a lack of capacity or knowledge, but because of a crisis of solidarity, a collapse of financing and growing geopolitical instability. The Middle East and Eastern Europe are among the worst affected, showing sharp declines across key goals like SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). When development becomes collateral damage of political warfare, the world loses its shared compass. In contrast, East and South Asia stand as a counter-current. Countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Vietnam and even Uzbekistan have shown remarkable SDG momentum—reducing extreme poverty, expanding basic education, strengthening health systems, and investing in social protection. These aren't perfect stories, but they are real ones. They prove that transformation is possible—even amid fiscal constraints and global chaos. In a world coming apart at the seams, Asia is holding the thread. Indonesia, at the heart of this rising tide, occupies a unique position. Its SDG Index rank in 2025 stands at 77 out of 167—not top-tier, but steady. Not spectacular, but consistent. More importantly, Indonesia has consistently submitted its Voluntary National Reviews, showing institutional commitment to sustainable development. As a G20 member and the largest democracy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia has the moral and strategic legitimacy to bridge the global divide—between developed and developing nations, between ambition and accountability. But leadership does not happen by default. It must be shaped. Not by economic numbers alone, but by the ability to offer direction. The world today is not short on technology or capital—it's short on compass. In the absence of credible global leadership, what's needed is not dominance, but direction. And that is where Asia's opportunity lies. Asia carries with it a deep memory of pain and resilience. Its past includes colonial wounds, mass poverty, natural disasters, and economic crises. But that history has given rise to a muscle of survival that is now evolving into a vision for transformation. Asia knows how to grow without waiting to be saved. Its cultures of collectivism, its internal diversity, and its experience navigating crisis without losing hope—these are not weaknesses. They are the very foundation of a different kind of leadership: one that is grounded rather than arrogant, inclusive rather than imposing. Yet, Asia's rise is not without its own dangers. Geopolitical tensions within the region—over the South China Sea, Taiwan, and the Korean Peninsula—threaten the very stability it has worked hard to preserve. The global conflicts it has so far weathered from a distance may begin to spill over. If Asia wants to lead a fractured world, it must first preserve peace in its own neighborhood. That means strengthening regional solidarity, reforming domestic financial systems, and investing in green transitions and social equity. Without these, momentum could turn to fragility. Indonesia again stands as a compelling example. Not because it has solved all problems, but because of where it stands: a democracy with scale, a regional influencer with credibility, and a cultural bridge that speaks to both the Global South and the world's economic powers. In a time when multilateralism is losing breath, Indonesia could help reimagine it—not through ideology, but through integrity. Five years remain until 2030. The window for meaningful global change is narrowing. And as traditional centers of influence turn inward, the world is looking elsewhere for guidance. It is not enough for Asia to rise economically. The question is whether it can rise with purpose. Whether it can offer not just speed, but direction. Not just hope, but action. Leadership today is not about controlling others. It's about holding space—space for cooperation, for healing, for shared futures. Asia may not have sought this moment. But the moment has arrived nonetheless. A vacuum of global guidance is dangerous. But it is also a rare opportunity—for a region that has long been underestimated to now step forward, not with triumphalism, but with vision. Asia is rising. But the world is not waiting. The question, then, is no longer whether Asia will be ready to lead. It is whether Asia will be willing—willing to be the voice of direction in a world that is asking, more urgently than ever: Who still knows where we're going? Setyo Budiantoro is sustainable development expert at The Prakarsa, MIT Sloan IDEAS fellow, advisory committee member of Fair Finance Asia and SDGs–ESG expert at Indonesian ESG Professional Association (IEPA).
Indian Express
a day ago
- General
- Indian Express
Knowledge Nugget: Sustainable Development Report (SDR) 2025 – Key insights for UPSC aspirants
What is the rank of India in the Sustainable Development Index? Take a look at the essential concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up on your knowledge. Here's your knowledge nugget for today. (Relevance: UPSC has asked questions on Sustainable Development Goals. This annual report of the United Nations is important in making a comparative analysis of countries in attaining these SDGs. Questions on SDGs and attempts made by India in achieving them have been asked in UPSC Mains, making this report essential for your exam.) India, for the first time, breaks into the top 100 of the Sustainable Development Index with the rank of 99 and score of 67, according to the Sustainable Development Report (SDR) 2025 released by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. SDR reviews progress made each year on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since their adoption by the 193 UN member states. This year's SDG index covers 167 of the 193 UN member states. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the SDGs. This 10th edition of SDR focuses on 'Financing the SDGs by 2030 and Mid-Century'. 1. According to the 2025 SDR, none of the 17 Global Goals are on track to be fully achieved by 2030, and only 17 per cent of the SDG targets are progressing as planned. Conflicts, structural vulnerabilities, and limited fiscal space impede SDG progress in many parts of the world. 2. This year, for the first time streamlined SDG Index (SDGi), which uses 17 headline indicators, one per SDG, to track overall SDG progress, was introduced. The purpose is to minimise the statistical biases related to missing time series data across countries. 3. According to SDR, 'a new indicator on 'Minimum dietary diversity among children aged 6 months to 23 months' has been incorporated into the dataset under SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).' 4. According to the report, 'at the global level, SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) are particularly off track, facing major challenges (indicated in red on the dashboards) and showing no or very limited progress since 2015.' 5. The SDG Index score is presented on a scale of 0 to 100 and can be interpreted as a percentage towards optimal performance on the SDGs. The difference between 100 and the country's SDG index indicates the distance that must be overcome to reach the optimum SDG performance. 6. Finland is ranked first this time with a score of 87, and 19 of the top 20 countries in the index are in Europe. India is ranked 99th with a score of 67, achieving a significant milestone by entering the top 100 for the first time. India has improved steadily over the past four years, rising from 109th in 2024, 112th in 2023, 121st in 2022, and 120th in 2021. 7. In regional comparison, India still trails several of its neighbours. Bhutan is ranked 74th (70.5), Nepal 85th (68.6), and the Maldives 53rd. Sri Lanka stands at 93rd, while Bangladesh and Pakistan lag behind at 114th and 140th, respectively. The United Nations defines sustainable development as 'development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs'. The SDGs build on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which were adopted in 2000 and were to be achieved by 2015. 📍The Index for SDGs evaluates progress of states and Union Territories (UTs) on various parameters including health, education, gender, economic growth, institutions, climate change and environment. First launched in December 2018, the index has become the primary tool for monitoring progress on the SDGs in India. 📍The SDG India Index scores range between 0–100, higher the score of a State/UT, the greater the distance to target achieved. States and UTs are classified in four categories based on their SDG India Index score — aspirant: 0–49; performer: 50–64; front-runner: 65–99, achiever: 100. According to the NITI Aayog SDG index, India's score for 2023-24 was 71. 1. The UN member states reaffirmed their commitment to the SDGs and effective multilateralism at the UN Summit of the Future held in September 2024. The Pact for the Future, Global Digital Compact, and Declaration on Future Generations were adopted by consensus. 'UN can't build a future for our grandchildren with the institutions of our grandparents.' -UN Secretary-General 2. The Summit of the Future (SoTF) took place on September 22-23, before the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The theme of the Summit was 'multilateral solutions for a better tomorrow'. 3. UN Secretary General António Guterres has called the Summit a 'once-in-a-generation UN Summit'. It is being projected as an important milestone in the history of the UN as it has entered its 80th year of establishment this year. 4. In the 2025 Index of Countries' Support to UN-Based Multilateralism (UN-Mi), Barbados was ranked 1 with a score of 92, followed by Jamaica. India was ranked 113 with a score of 63.8. This index tracks countries' support for UN-based multilateralism. The efforts made in regional and bilateral fora, or within the BRICS, G20, G7, OECD and other groups, are not considered. 'Multilateralism describes international politics and diplomacy, where many countries with different views and goals work together. The United Nations system is the principal multilateral forum where countries come together to solve global problems.' – United Nations 5. According to SDR, 'The Pact calls for 56 actions related to SDG implementation, peace, and collective security, including the transformation of the multilateral system and reform of the international financial architecture (United Nations 2024).' (1) Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2016) 1. The Sustainable Development Goals were first proposed in 1972 by a global think tank called the 'Club of Rome'. 2. The Sustainable Development Goals have to be achieved by 2030. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 (2) Sustainable development is described as the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In this perspective, inherently the concept of sustainable development is intertwined with which of the following concepts? (UPSC CSE 2010) (a) Social justice and empowerment (b) Inclusive Growth (c) Globalization (d) Carrying capacity (Source: Humanity's success lies in our collective strength, not in the battlefield: PM Modi at Summit of the Future at UN, UN Sustainable Development Goals Index 2025) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for June 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Khushboo Kumari is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She has done her graduation and post-graduation in History from the University of Delhi. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. She holds experience in UPSC-related content development. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
State govt revives plan to eliminate child labour by '30
1 2 Ranchi: The state department of labour, employment, training, and skill development and the child protection society, with the technical support of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Bal Kalyan Sangh, on Thursday revived a draft state Action Plan for Elimination of Child Labour by 2030. The draft, which integrates learnings from the 2012–16 plan and responds to the present legal and socio-economic contexts, aims to serve as a roadmap for the next five years. The plan is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8.7, which targets to end child labour in all its forms by 2030. Department secretary Jitendra Kumar Singh said, "The state saw a 78% decline in child labour between 2001 and 2011, surpassing national average. Our task now is to build a coordinated, multi-stakeholder response. The draft will undergo consultations before submission to the state cabinet for approval. The labour department will be the nodal agency for its implementation." The national project coordinator with the ILO, Narasimhan Gadiraju, said, "While the framework remains similar to earlier plans, this draft reflects upon legal advancements, including the ratification of ILO Conventions 138 and 182, post 2016. It provides a clearer definition of a child and places the responsibility squarely on the state govt for execution and periodic review. Jharkhand had over 91,000 child labourers as per the 2011 Census." The chief technical advisor with the ILO, Giovanni Soledad, said, "The reduction in child labour from 160 million in 2020 to 138 million in 2024 in Asia and the Pacific region is a positive trend. There is, however, a need to accelerate efforts with greater investment in education and social protection to meet the target by 2030." Joint labour commissioner Pradip Lakra said, "The labour department cannot shoulder this responsibility alone. We are now strengthening our presence at the block level and increasing the number of field staff to boost identification, rescue, and rehabilitation mechanisms."
Mint
3 days ago
- Business
- Mint
India ranks among top 100 nations for first time in achieving Sustainable Development Goals
India ranked among the top 100 nations out of 167 countries for its progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reported the news agency PTI, citing UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network's 10th and latest Sustainable Development Report (SDR) published on Tuesday, 24 June 2025. According to the agency report, India secured the 99th rank on the SDG Index 2025, with a score of 67, while other nations like China ranked 49th with a 74.4 score, and the United States at 44th rank with a 75.2 point score. The previous data shows that India ranked as the 109th nation for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in 2024. Over the years, the nation has improved its ranking in the list. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are global goals which were imposed by the United Nations in 2015, in order for countries to work towards the idea of saving the planet. According to the report, the ultimate goal is to leave no one behind in the overall development matrix by 2030. The report also flagged that the SDG progress has stalled at the global level, with only 17 per cent of the 17 targets projected to be achieved by 2030. 'Conflicts, structural vulnerabilities and limited fiscal space impede SDG progress in many parts of the world,' said economist Jeffrey Sachs in the report, cited by the news agency. Neighbouring nations like Bhutan ranked at the 74th place with 70.5 points, Nepal at the 85th rank with 68.6 points, Bangladesh at 114th place with 63.9 points, and Pakistan at 140th rank with 57 points, according to the news report. Others like the Maldives and Sri Lanka ranked 53rd and 93rd in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievements report. European nations like the Nordic countries continue to rank at the top of the SDG Index 2025, with Finland leading the charge at the top, followed by Sweden and Denmark. A total of 19 nations from the top 20 in the ranking list are from Europe, as per the report. The report comes ahead of the fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville, Spain. The event is set to be hosted between 30 June 2025 and 3 July 2025, according to the news report. 'Money flows readily to rich countries and not to the emerging and developing economies (EMDEs) that offer higher growth potential and rates of return. At the top of the agenda at FfD4 is the need to reform the GFA so that capital flows in far larger sums to the EMDEs,' according to the report cited by the news agency.
