80th Session of the UN General Assembly

General Discussion of the Second Committee

Agenda Item 18: Sustainable development:
(a) Towards the achievement of sustainable development: implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including through sustainable consumption and production, building on Agenda 21
(b) Follow-up to and implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for Small Island Developing States: A Renewed Declaration for Resilient Prosperity
(c) Disaster risk reduction
(d) Protection of global climate for present and future generations of humankind
(e) Implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa
(f) Convention on Biological Diversity
(g) Education for sustainable development
(h) Ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
(i) Combating sand and dust storms
(j) Sustainable mountain development
(k) Strengthening cooperation for integrated coastal zone management for achieving sustainable development
(l) Multidimensional vulnerability index

Agenda Item 19: Global Code of Ethics for Tourism

13 October 2025, 10:00 – 13:00 hrs and 15:00 – 18:00 hrs, CR 2

Statement delivered by Shri Rajeev Rai, Member of Parliament

Chair,

India aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Group of 77 and China and wishes to offer the following observations in its national capacity. We appreciate the reports under Agenda Items 18 and 19.

The Secretary-General’s latest reports underline that while progress has been made since 2015, achievement of the 2030 Agenda remains off track. Nearly half of all SDG targets show insufficient or regressing progress. In this context, India emphasises that sustainable development must remain at the heart of multilateralism.

On sustainable consumption and production, India reiterates the transformative vision of Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), launched by the Prime Minister of India, which promotes pro-planet choices at both the individual and community levels as a scalable contribution to global sustainability.

We extend solidarity with Small Island Developing States, whose vulnerabilities are highlighted in the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS. India has strengthened partnerships with SIDS through concessional finance, capacity-building, and the India-UN Development Partnership Fund.

On disaster risk reduction, we recall the Sendai Framework and stress that early warning systems, risk-informed planning, and resilient infrastructure must be prioritised. India’s Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) offers a practical platform for partnership.

Chair,

India stresses the principle of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities with regards to climate action and while the new collective quantified goal for climate finance adopted at COP29 was disappointing, we reiterate that developed countries must demonstrate greater ambition on climate finance commitments, in addition to their ODA obligations.

On the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UNCCD, India calls for full implementation of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and has itself committed to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.

Regarding sustainable mountain development, combating sand and dust storms, and strengthening coastal zone management, India takes into account all of these aspects in its development strategy, given that it is home to a diverse range of ecosystems, ranging from the Himalayas in the north, the eastern and western coasts of the Indian peninsula, and the dry arid desert in the west of India.

Chair,

India reaffirms its determination to work with all partners to keep the promise of the 2030 Agenda and ensure that no one is left behind.

I thank you.

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