India, UNDP discuss evolving dynamics in UN system and need for reforms

New Delhi, Nov 12 India and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Wednesday held discussions on enhancing collaboration between both sides to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and digital transformation.

Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Sibi George met UNDP Acting Administrator Haoliang Xu, discussing evolving dynamics in the United Nations system and the need for reforms.

"Secretary (West) Sibi George received UNDP Acting Administrator Haoliang Xu and discussed India-UNDP collaboration to achieve SDG goals, digital transformation besides India's project assistance to foster South-South cooperation to achieve SDGs and address climate action in developing countries. They also discussed about the evolving dynamics in the UN system and the need for reforms during UN@80," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.

Haoliang Xu reaffirmed UNDP's commitment to India’s development priorities and discussed ways to strengthening India’s leadership on South-South Cooperation.

Sharing details regarding the meeting, UNDP India stated, "Haoliang Xu, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNDP Acting Administrator met with Sibi George Secretary (West), MEA to reaffirm UNDP’s commitment to India’s development priorities and discuss ways to strengthening India’s leadership on South South Cooperation. With UNDP as a trusted partner, India continues to share its development experience, tech, and innovations with the Global South advancing progress toward the SDGs."

Haoliang Xu, currently on a visit to India, also met Anuradha Thakur, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, and reaffirmed UNDP's strong partnership with the Government of India.

Following the meeting, UNDP India, in a post on X, wrote, "In New Delhi, Haoliang Xu, UN Under-Secretary-General and Acting Administrator met with Ms Anuradha Thakur, Secretary, Dept of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance and reaffirmed UNDP’s strong partnership with the Government of India. UNDP India appreciates the Ministry’s leadership & guidance in the successful implementation of its Country Programme."

"In our journey forward, we will continue to support the govt by: Investing in innovative development solutions and mobilizing partnerships for impact thru global expertise, knowledge exchange and technical support. Advancing national priorities on Sustainable Finance + supporting state govts. Sharing India’s experience globally, esp across the Global South," it added.

On Tuesday, Team UN in India welcomed Haoliang Xu to Delhi. During the event, Xu spoke about the UN reforms, UN80 initiative and the close partnership between India and the UN to achieve the SDGs.

"Team UN in India welcomed UNDP's Acting Administrator Haoliang Xu to Delhi. He spoke about the UN reforms, UN 80 initiative & impressed on the close partnership between UN and India to achieve the SDGs. Mr Xu also met government officials and partners and helped mark six decades," United Nations in India posted on X.

In New Delhi, Haoliang Xu also visited a health centre and saw India's digital health solutions in action. UNDP India stated that it is proud to partner with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in advancing people-first digital solutions that make healthcare more inclusive and efficient.

"At a health centre in Delhi, UNDP Acting Administrator Haoliang Xu saw India’s impressive digital health solutions in action. From witnessing an infant receiving her lifesaving jab to presenting a vaccination certificate to parents, and meeting frontline health workers - the power of innovation to improve lives was clear. Platforms like eVIN & UWIN are helping India build stronger, more connected health systems. eVIN digitizes vaccine logistics, ensuring every dose is tracked and delivered on time. U-WIN builds on this success - creating a unified digital registry for immunization, ensuring every child & mother is covered. UNDP India is proud to partner with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in advancing these people-first digital solutions that make healthcare more inclusive + efficient," UNDP India wrote in a post on X.

UNDP Acting Administrator also participated in an event celebrating 10 years of India's digital transformation. UNDP appreciated India for its leadership in building and scaling homegrown, interoperable digital health systems for India and the Global South.

In a post on X, UNDP India wrote, "Today in New Delhi, UNDP Acting Administrator Haoliang Xu joined senior officials from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Women and Child Development and National Health Authority (NHA) at a convening celebrating a decade of India’s digital transformation - taking healthcare solutions to the last mile. We commend India’s leadership in building and scaling homegrown, interoperable digital health systems for India and the Global South. UNDP India is proud to support the Govt of India in advancing digital health solutions to build stronger, more inclusive immunisation systems."

Haoliang Xu also met NITI Aayog Vice Chairperson Suman Bery and discussed expanding support to states through the Sustainable Development Goal Coordination Centre (SDGCAC) to drive measurable results at the community level.

"During a productive meeting, UNDP Acting Administrator Haoliang Xu and NITI Aayog Vice Chairperson Suman Bery discussed how to: Strengthen SDGs Localisation: Expanding support to States through the SDGCAC to drive measurable results where it matters most – at the community level. Private Sector as a Force for Good: Boosting domestic private investment and innovation aligned to the SDGs. South-South Cooperation: Sharing India’s powerful success stories - from digitalhealth to SDG financing - with countries across the Global South. Shaping solutions in India, for India and for the world," UNDP India posted on X.

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