‘SDGs bear special significance for South Asia’: says Speaker

The Third South Asian Speakers’ Summit in Colombo is being attended by Smt. Sumitra Mahajan, Hon’ble Speaker of Lok Sabha on the invitation of Parliament of Sri Lanka. Shri Bhubaneswar Kalita, MP, Rajya Sabha and Smt. Snehlata Shrivastava, Secretary General, Lok Sabha are also part of the Indian Delegation. The previous two Summits were held in Dhaka (Bangladesh) and () in the year 2016 and 2017, respectively.

While speaking at the follow-up on the ‘Indore Declaration’ at the Plenary Session, Smt. Mahajan observed that the Indore Declaration on the theme – ‘Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Resources for the SDGs,’ underscored the need for the elimination of poverty and promotion of gender equality. While addressing the critical factors pertaining to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals, she added that SDGs bear special significance for South Asia as the region is home to more than 35% of the world’s poor who suffer from many developmental and infrastructural gaps. Besides, the region lags behind in terms of human development. The adverse effects of population pressure and over-exploitation of the limited natural resources are clearly visible everywhere. She also added that though South Asia has emerged as one of the fastest growing sub-regions, it could not, however, capitalize the momentum to create job opportunities for its youth as 80% of the workforce remains in the informal sector.

Elaborating the initiatives by the for effective implementation of SDGs, Smt. Mahajan drew the attention to the initiatives in the field of education, health sector through Ayushuman Bharat Yojana, PM Bima Suraksha Yojana, PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Avaas Yojana. etc. On the issue of economic empowerment of women, she informed about the Ujjwala Yojana Scheme and benefits derived by the people of BPL category under this laudable Scheme. Smt. Mahajan also gave an account of the initiatives under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on various social welfare schemes which have immensely benefited to the public.

Speaker, Lok Sabha hoped that the Summit would conclude with a progressive declaration that would endeavour for the well being of the people of the South Asian Nations.

Participating in the session on the ‘Role of Sustainable and Green Industrialization in the realization of the SDGs in South Asia’, Shri Bhubaneswar Kalita, Member of Parliament, observed that the promotion of green energy and green technology has been integral to India’s industrial development, particularly since the last two decades. He also stated that India and France have pioneered the International Solar Alliance, a dedicated platform for cooperation among the solar resource rich countries. He informed the delegates that the National Green Tribunal is playing a remarkable role in enforcing the principles of sustainability in industry and addressing environmental concerns. Shri Kalita said that a nation-wide campaign on energy conservation to generate awareness among the people has been initiated. The National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, National Clean Energy and Environment Fund, are being implemented to seriously and sincerely support and supplement the initiatives towards greening of industries.

Later, the Speakers and the Presiding Officers also discussed the themes namely, ‘The role of Parliaments in promoting decent work and safe and secure working environment’ and ‘Parliaments as promoters of social and economic inclusion in South Asia’ in their Second and Third Sessions, respectively. Smt Sumitra Mahajan, Hon’ble Speaker of Lok Sabha and Shri Bhubaneswar Kalita, MP, Rajya Sabha attended these Sessions.

On the sidelines of the Summit, Hon’ble Speaker met H.E. Ms. Gabriela Cuevas Barron, IPU President and discussed issues of mutual interest.