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15 March 2024

Leveraging PAGE for knowledge sharing and joint action with partners in India

Man on a boat in India

PAGE India partners meet on 15 March 2024 to review progress under the PAGE programme in India, discuss scaling up beyond core support, and strategize for a green economic transition. The meeting aimed to leverage PAGE for knowledge sharing and joint actions to advance the transition to Inclusive Green Economy and Sustainable Development Goals at the national level. It included the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, PAGE UN agencies, delegates from PAGE donor countries like Sweden, Denmark, Korea, Norway, Switzerland, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, PAGE India technical partners, and experts.

 

With only six years to 2030, global progress on the Sustainable Development Goals is significantly off course, with only 12 per cent of targets on track. During this decisive Decade of Action, we need to leverage the convening power of partnerships, and the collective resolve of governments, UN agencies and industry to integrate sustainability principles into economic growth.

portrait of Marlene Nilsson
Marlene Nilsson, Regional Director and Representative, a.i., UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

The activities and outcomes of PAGE in India were presented to the participants. This included how PAGE is assisting in producing evidence through scientific assessments to enhance the development and reinforcement of policy and regulatory tools for promoting the shift towards an Inclusive Green Economy.

Referring to the PAGE initiatives in India, Dr Satyendra Kumar, Director Ministry of Environment, Forest ad Climate Change (MoEFCC), mentioned that “together we have traversed very productive path with PAGE in the past few years” and mentioned some of the strategic support of PAGE and results in the area of ‘Ecolabelling’, contribution to “Draft Eco mark Certification Rules, 2023” notified by the MoEFCC in October 2023.

He emphasized the importance of Knowledge Exchange and Experience Sharing in the areas of green economy, ecolabelling, and Circular Economy involving concerned stakeholders for promotion of Inclusive Green Economy. He referred to alignment of numerous rules and regulations in India with Sustainable Consumption and Production, presenting an ideal opportunity to explore collaborations and synergies with PAGE in India.

A group of people sitting at a table at the PAGE India partners meeting

“There is strategic and critical value in tackling significant challenges through partnership. This is precisely what PAGE enabled us to achieve; it enabled us to create much needed change, and collectively bring together our efforts for impact.”

portrait of Elisa Tonda
Elisa Tonda, Chief, Resources and Markets Branch, Industry and Economy Division, UNEP.

PAGE’s global efforts were emphasized, showcasing accomplishments and the institutional structures created to facilitate the shift toward a green economy beyond basic PAGE assistance. Examples from countries such as Senegal, Peru, South Africa, Kyrgyz Republic, Burkina Faso, Uruguay, Argentina, and Mongolia were presented. Additionally, the updated global strategy of PAGE, emphasizing a more strategic and cohesive approach in collaboration with the UN Resident Coordinator’s office, was underscored.

PAGE partners and representatives from donor countries shared their thoughts and insights on priority areas at the national level. Drawing from PAGE’s work in India, potential collaboration areas identified include waste management, water management, built environment, capacity building, knowledge sharing, technology sharing, and integrating circularity and sustainability in industries such as Textiles, Steel, and Cement.

A group of people sitting at tables in a room at the PAGE India partners meeting

From the perspective of One UN, PAGE is a unique example of how UN agencies can work together on a common goal of green economy, bringing so much value to the environmental management systems in India.

Shri. Atul Bagai portrait
Mr. Atul Bagai, Country Head, UNEP India

Additional discussions took place to investigate the potential for creating a collaborative UN initiative on Green Economy within key strategic sectors with significant influence; utilizing PAGE as a platform for exchanging knowledge on green economy within the south-south and triangular cooperation aspect of the UNSDCF (India); boosting involvement with private enterprises and financial organizations in sustainable finance; and implementing creative green technologies to integrate sustainability in crucial sectors.

As part of PAGE’s sustainability strategy in India, consultations will be held with various stakeholders to finalize joint actions for advancing green economic transition at the national level, beyond PAGE’s core support in the country.

India joined PAGE in 2018. PAGE activities in India are contributing towards the achievement of SDGs 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 13 (Climate Action) and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Since 2013, PAGE brings together the specialized expertise of five United Nations agencies to accelerate a just transition to a low carbon, resource efficient, nature friendly and socially inclusive economy.

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