Wignaraja, who also serves as the UNDP regional director for Asia and the Pacific, is expected to hold meetings with key officials from the Ministries of External Affairs, Finance, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Niti Aayog, and other ministries.
UN Assistant Secretary, will visit India from October 3 to 8 to deepen cooperation between the UNDP and the Indian government on various aspects of sustainability
Wignaraja, who also serves as the UNDP regional director for Asia and the Pacific, is expected to hold meetings with key officials from the Ministries of External Affairs, Finance, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Niti Aayog, and other ministries.
These meetings will focus on critical issues such as the localisation of sustainability development goals SDG financing and India's expanding role in South-South cooperation. Her visit will spotlight India's growing contribution to global development, particularly in sustainable practices and partnerships.
Among the highlights of Wignraja's visit is a participation in a national workshop on SDG financing, which is being co-hosted by the ministry of finance and Niti Aayog. Additionally she will join a policy dialogue centred on the one health approach to pandemic preparedness and event organised by UNDP and the confederation of Indian industry.
Further emphasising the holistic approach of the UNDP towards sustainable development, Wignaraja will also attend a round table on the urban child care ecosystem and the care economy focusing on inclusive growth in urban areas
She will then embark on a two day visit to Meghalaya from October 5th to 6th where she will meet with the state’s deputy chief minister. During her time there she is scheduled to participate in a round table on Advancing Gender Equality (SDG 5) organised in collaboration with the UN and women. She will also interact with young entrepreneurs supported by UNDP’s youth co-initiative reflecting the UNDP’s commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders.
Additionally the UN leader will engage with women healthcare workers at UNDP supported community health centres and visit the famed living root bridge in Pynutsla, biodiversity project back by the government of Germany and UNDP. The visit underlines UNDP’s focus on preserving natural ecosystems while promoting sustainable development practices in rural and indigenous communities.