In a compelling address at the 18th National Convention of the UN Global Compact Network India (UNGCNI), Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Housing & Urban Affairs, underscored India's pivotal role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its implications for global progress. The convention, themed "Advancing Sustainable India: Driving Change with Forward Faster 2030," convened stakeholders to deliberate on pressing sustainability challenges and opportunities.
Puri emphasized India's demographic and economic significance, labeling it as a critical determinant of global outcomes. With its vast population and rapid economic growth, India's trajectory will profoundly influence worldwide developments, he noted, urging stakeholders to recognize the country's pivotal position in the global landscape.
The convention, inaugurated by Minister Puri, saw the presence of esteemed dignitaries including Arun Kumar Singh, President of UN GCNI and Chairman and CEO of ONGC, Isabelle Tschan, Resident Representative of UNDP India; and Ratnesh, Executive Director of UN GCNI.
Highlighting India's strides in addressing SDGs over the past decade, Puri commended the nation's efforts in lifting over 250 million people out of multidimensional poverty, citing flagship initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission and AMRUT for revolutionizing water and sanitation infrastructure.
Puri lauded India's sustainable development approach, particularly its progress in ensuring access to clean water and sanitation. Despite significant financing gaps, he praised India's proactive mobilization of resources and implementation of impactful initiatives to bridge these disparities.
Addressing gender empowerment, Minister Puri highlighted the shift towards women-led schemes, exemplified by the historic Women's Reservation Bill introduced recently to enhance women's participation in political processes.
Discussing India's sustainability targets, Minister Puri celebrated the remarkable journey of ethanol blending, with targets brought forward due to exceptional progress. He underscored government efforts to create an enabling ecosystem for emerging technologies such as battery energy storage systems and e-mobility, aligning with India's net-zero target of 2070.
Recognizing the crucial role of the private sector in SDG achievement, Minister Puri emphasized the integration of sustainability into business operations. He lauded impactful Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives while stressing the need for companies to go beyond CSR and embed sustainability into their core practices, citing ONGC's exemplary reduction in emissions as a model to follow.
In his concluding remarks, Minister Puri reaffirmed India's commitment to global sustainability frameworks and praised the UNGC for its guidance and collaborative platform.
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