"India's growth story has lessons for the world" UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner visits India | Feb 2023

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator, Achim Steiner was on a two-day mission to New Delhi, India from February 27-28.

During his visit, the Administrator met key government officials, development partners and private sector leaders, and reaffirmed UNDP's commitment to supporting India's development priorities.

The Administrator met the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya; Minister of Development of North Eastern Region, G. Kishan Reddy; G-20 Sherpa, Amitabh Kant; and Vice Chairperson, NITI Aayog, Suman Bery.

In a meeting with India's health minister, the Administrator reaffirmed UNDP's support in digitalising India's immunization programme.

He appreciated the Government of India's efforts towards fast-tracking the SDGs and sustainable development of the North Eastern Region.

The Administrator committed to supporting NITI Aayog's initiatives to mainstream data-driven policy and taking the LiFE initiative to the world.

He joined a global LiFEathon event where over 700 young innovators from 60+ countries participated in a virtual hackathon organized together with NITI Aayog. Through this hackathon, innovators contributed ideas to promote sustainable lifestyles and behaviour change as part of the Government of India's flagship LiFE campaign.

Young minds are leading the way towards a sustainable future. I am counting on you to generate innovative ideas for sustainable lifestyles.

On National Science Day, the Administrator delivered a lecture at IIT Delhi on the role of Science, Technology, and Innovation in achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

If we do not focus on inclusion and how to build digital ecosystems that allow for helping those who do not have the money to buy a bus ticket to get on the bus, we will lock hundreds of millions out of the economy and inequality will become even more pervasive.

The Administrator visited the Lady Hardinge Hospital to witness how the Government of India is digitalizing its immunization programme supported by UNDP.

He saw eVIN, the vaccine supply chain management system, Co-WIN, the digital backbone of India's vaccination programme, and U-WIN, a new digital platform piloted by the Government of India for routine vaccination processes.

He attended a programme signing between the International Solar Alliance and UNDP to initiate a multi-country project on solar applications for agriculture.

He also held several meetings with development partners and the private sector, participated in a roundtable discussion on low-carbon and climate-resilient growth pathways, and met the UN Country Team in India.

Clockwise from top left:

The visit to Delhi followed the Administrator's earlier participation at the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meetings in Bengaluru on February 24 and 25 as a representative of the UN Secretary-General in the Finance Track.

The Administrator's visit received excellent media coverage from national and international media. Overall, nearly 40 articles were published and printed across mainstream media including the Times of India, NDTV, Reuters, Mint, Economics Times and Reuters.

The Administrator with UNDP India colleagues.

Appreciate

Credits:

UNDP India/Deepak Malik