Venkaiah assures support on sustainable development goals

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday assured of full support in achieving the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations.

Naidu's assurance came as the Legislators Group for Sustainable Development Goals (LG-SDGs) comprising three parliamentarians - its chairman Harish Chandra Meena, Rahul Kaswan and Ninong Ering - briefed the minister about the group's efforts in spreading awareness about the SDG agenda among parliamentarians and state legislators.

Naidu told the group that the government would be too happy to enable a detailed discussion in parliament on the sustainable development goals.

The LG-SDGs is a partnership of lawmakers who, with the support of other stakeholders, aim to work to promote and support India's national and local governments' efforts in achieving these goals.

Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe and sustainable and ending poverty in all its forms are among the six sustainable development goals set by the United Nations to be achieved during 2016-30.

The other goals are ending hunger through food security and promoting sustainable agriculture; ensuring inclusive quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all; and achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has urged parliamentarians across the globe to play a key role in implementing the SDG agenda.