Guwahati: With Assam becoming the first state in the country to have initiated the process of taking the Sustainable Development Goals forward in 2015, there is a need to have robust plans to implement the goals as the SDGs in the Northeast are still in the planning process This was highlighted by speakers at a seminar on Monday.

A daylong consultation workshop on "Preparedness for SDGs in North East: Integration, Localisation and Platform Creations", organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), was held on Monday to support the states and the districts in designing, identifying data sources besides monitoring SDG implementation and development strategies in keeping with rest of the country.

In 2015, the UN General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals based on the principle that no one will be left behind in development process. It emphasised a holistic approach in achieving sustainable development for all.

"The challenges that we see now that it has been three years since the SDG initiative took off, we are still in the planning process and ultimately we need to have robust plans to implement the SDGs. The focus that we ought to have now is on an adoptive integrated approach and how to work together with the private sector. We need to leverage it with the private sector's repository in technology and innovation. Assam took a huge leap in taking the SDG agenda forward. Today's workshop stressed a framework on how other states in the Northeast can learn from Assam and bring them together," the additional country director of UNDP, Rakesh Kumar, said.

The SDG report of 2018, which was released by the UN, highlighted that despite slight improvements in some countries, most of the countries are still excluded from basic services.

"The Northeast, with its geography and biodiversity, is very important for India's development. No one should be left behind. We need a 360-degree view to incorporate different forms of government and stakeholders and form a strategic platform to meet the challenges. We also need to look at different models of development that could work with local realities. Assam has led the way in SDG vision and SDG-oriented budget," the country director UNDP, Francine Pickup, said.

There are 17 goals under the SDG which includes no poverty, zero hunger, good health, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities among others.