The Hindu Editorial Analysis

Editorial 1: Tracking SDG progress the Bhopal way

Context

Bhopal has become the first city in India to join the growing global movement on localisation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) following the release of its Voluntary Local Review (VLR).

Defining SDGs

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 Global Goals that are interlinked and are designed to serve as a blueprint for a future that is sustainable and accessible to all.
These SDGs were developed by the United Nations General Assembly in the year 2014 and were targeted to be set to be achieved by the year 2030.
Sustainable Development Goals were included in the General Assembly’s resolution named Agenda 2030.
The aim of Sustainable Development Goals 2030 is “Transforming the World.”

VNR (Voluntary national review)

The resolution specifies mechanisms for the monitoring, review, and reporting of progress as a measure of accountability towards the people.
To this end, member-states submit a Voluntary National Review (VNR) to the UN’s High Level Political Forum (HLPF)
VNR is a process by which countries take stock and assess progress and challenges in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda.
More recently, VLRs as a means for driving and reporting local implementation of SDGs at the sub-national and city levels.

India’s progress

India has made commendable efforts towards the adoption, localisation, and achievement of the SDGs. NITI Aayog presented India’s second VNR at the HLPF convened in 2020.
India’s Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation (MoSPI) has published a National Indicator Framework (NIF) for the review and monitoring of the SDGs, which contextualises the UN’s Global Indicator Framework to represent India’s unique development journey.
As noted in a NITI Aayog report, at least 23 States and Union Territories have prepared a vision document based on SDGs.
Almost all of them have initiated steps to localise the SDGs. However, it has taken a while to get to India’s first Voluntary Local Review at the city level since the efforts to localise the SDGs began.

Bhopal’s VLR (Voluntary Local Review)

The VLR is a subnational review of the progress and challenges in implementing the SDGs at the local level.
It is a bottom-up and participatory approach that involves multiple stakeholders, such as civil society, the private sector, academia and citizens.
It aims to enhance accountability, transparency and learning among local actors, as well as to inform and influence national and global policies.
Bhopal’s VLR is the result of collaboration between the Bhopal Municipal Corporation, UN-Habitat and a collective of over 23 local stakeholders to measurably demonstrate the city’s aspirations for a sustainable and inclusive urban transformation.
It incorporated a mix of quantitative and qualitative approaches to the review of SDGs, with qualitative mapping of 56 developmental projects.
It identified key challenges and opportunities for Bhopal to achieve the SDGs, such as urban governance, climate resilience, social inclusion, economic development and innovation.
It was launched by the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, along with an Agenda for Action: Sustainable Urban Transformation in Bhopal.
The Agenda for Action outlines a vision and a roadmap for Bhopal to become a smart, green and livable city by 2030.
It also proposes concrete actions and initiatives to address the gaps and priorities identified in the VLR.

Importance of VLR

As Cities are the most important stakeholders in Agenda 2030, targets could not possibly be achieved without the engagement of local urban stakeholders.
A VLR is a tool to demonstrate how local actions are leading the way in equitable and sustainable transformations for people and building a coalition of partners towards this endeavour.
While it is desirable to align a city’s VLR to the State-level action plan and the country’s VNR, the process allows a great deal of flexibility to the cities to tell their story within a framework of their choice.
It translates the global targets under the 17 SDGs into local indicators at the national level.
Cities may choose specific SDGs for a detailed review as per their priority and logistical comfort. While doing so, they may adapt and further localise the national indicators under the relevant SDGs to reflect the city level realities.

Conclusion

It is a remarkable opportunity for Indian cities to tell their stories in their own vocabulary, using a framework of their choice to forefront their work at a global platform. Other Indian cities can follow Bhopal’s lead, to showcase urban innovations and collaborations emerging from India on the global map.

Editorial 2: Among the elite

Context

Insights on the summit

As India is a special invitee Prime Minister Narendra Modi called India’s attendance “particularly meaningful” this year.
While the PM was referring specifically to India’s G-20 presidency, and aligning the G-20 agenda with Japan’s agenda for the G-7 summit is key, there are other reasons for India’s presence to stand out at the conversations this weekend.
Japan, as host, has taken a fairly tough position on Russia, with its envoy to India saying that the “message to Putin” must be that Russia will have to “pay” for its war in Ukraine.
While all G-7 countries are united in their efforts to sanction Russia further, it will be left to India, which has walked a line of fine balance thus far, to temper some of that language.
Neither Russia nor China are actually invited, and India’s position will be all the more important for the “Voice of the Global South”.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has decided to accept Japan’s invitation to attend the G-7 summit in person, and all eyes in India will be on a possible meeting between him and PM, which would be a first since the Ukraine war began.

Thematic priorities of India’s G20 presidency

Priorities of India in G7

Apart from the Russia-Ukraine tussle, India will be at the forefront as G-7 and G-7+ countries discuss debt sustainability and helping countries such as Sri Lanka to avoid a “debt trap”.
It will also be a key speaker on issues such as building supply chain reliability, spearheading alternative energy coalitions, and seeking infrastructure and development aid in the region.
Finally, India’s unique voice, as a nuclear power that is not a member of the Non Proliferation Treaty regime, yet has built an impeccable record in nuclear restraint, will be heard as Japan seeks to send a united message on non-proliferation from Hiroshima .

Conclusion

While the heavy lifting for the G-7 summit will be done by Japan and member countries, they are still seen as a small and “elitist” grouping, and India’s heft as a developing power combined with its G-20 presidency make it the significant “other” this year, that can leave its mark in making the process more inclusive.

20 May 2023 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis