Latest news with #SDG16
Time Business News
28-07-2025
- Health
- Time Business News
Dr. Fakhrul Islam Babu (孫逸仙) Receives Icons of Change International Award 2025 for Championing Youth Mental Health in Bangladesh
In a landmark moment for humanitarian leadership and mental health advocacy, Dr. Fakhrul Islam Babu (孫逸仙) has been awarded the Icons of Change International Award 2025 for his outstanding contribution to youth mental health and inclusive governance. This global recognition comes particularly in honor of his role as Adviser and Chief Patron of Talk Hope, a pioneering suicide prevention and mental health awareness platform based in Bangladesh. The Icons of Change Awards, which annually honor changemakers aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), selected Dr. Fakhrul for his work promoting SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. His deep involvement in fostering mental wellness, social harmony, and cross-cultural understanding has made a lasting impact across South and East Asia. A native of Chandpur, Bangladesh, and now a proud naturalized citizen of China, residing in Hong Kong SAR, Dr. Fakhrul embodies the spirit of global citizenship. As a visionary leader, he has guided Talk Hope with compassion and strategic insight, helping the platform expand its reach among vulnerable youth, provide critical psychological support, and build a culture of empathy across communities. > 'Mental health is not a privilege—it is a fundamental human right. I am proud to support Talk Hope and the young changemakers behind it who are saving lives every day with courage and compassion,' said Dr. Fakhrul upon receiving the award. The Founder of Talk Hope, Md Saddam Hossain Roni, also shared heartfelt words following the announcement: > 'We feel immensely proud to see our Honourable Adviser, Dr. Fakhrul Islam Babu, receiving the Icons of Change International Award 2025. This recognition is not only a testament to his extraordinary vision and lifelong dedication to humanity, but also a source of inspiration for all of us at Talk Hope. His unwavering support has given strength to our mission, and his achievement reaffirms our belief that compassionate leadership can truly change lives.' Apart from his advocacy in mental health, Dr. Fakhrul is the Founder of the China-Bangladesh Friendship Center and Group Chairman of MEXIMCO, a multinational enterprise that exemplifies ethical business practices and South-South economic cooperation. Through job creation and inclusive trade across Bangladesh, China, India, and Hong Kong, he has demonstrated how business can be a powerful tool for social good. As President of Asian Club Limited and a key figure in the Hong Kong Association of Naturalized Chinese, he has long championed social integration, civic representation, and cultural diplomacy. His civic engagement includes serving as a District National Security Law Tutor, Area Committee Member, and Care Team volunteer in Hong Kong—evidence of his belief that civic responsibility is integral to social progress. A lifelong humanitarian, Dr. Fakhrul's association with Rotary International—where he has served in various leadership roles and earned distinctions such as Paul Harris Fellow, Major Donor, and Global Goodwill Ambassador—underscores his philosophy of 'Service Above Self.' He is also a life member of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, supporting communities during crises and calamities. Dr. Fakhrul's holistic approach to leadership—integrating faith, identity, commerce, and compassion—was especially praised by the award committee. His adoption of the Chinese name 孫逸仙 (Sun Yat-sen) serves as a personal homage to the values of reform, unity, and humanity. > 'Dr. Fakhrul Islam Babu is not only a patron of change—he is its architect. His support of Talk Hope is a testament to his belief that every life matters, and every youth deserves a future filled with dignity, hope, and purpose,' the official award citation read. In a time when mental health challenges continue to affect millions of young people, especially in developing nations, this international recognition highlights the urgent importance of compassionate leadership and cross-border solidarity. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Mid East Info
23-07-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
UAE showcases impact of global development intiatives advancing SDGs at UN forum - Middle East Business News and Information
UAE delegation presents results of global efforts supporting inclusive economic growth and calls for stronger international cooperation. Private sector investment, policy innovation, and diplomacy highlighted as drivers of sustainable development. Dubai-New 2025: The UAE presented the results of its global development initiatives supporting SDG8 during its participation in the 2025 UN High-Level Political Forum (HLPF), reaffirming its commitment to promoting inclusive economic growth and decent work worldwide. Organised by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs at UN headquarters in New York City, this year's forum is held under the theme 'Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind.' The UAE's participation reflects its commitment to a development model rooted in sustainability, opportunity creation, and international partnerships that advance the 2030 Agenda. Reimagining Economic Growth for People and the Planet: The forum featured a high-impact roundtable titled 'Beyond 2030: Reimagining Economic Growth for People and Planet' hosted by the Secretarait of the UAE National Committee on SDGs, the UAE Consulate General in New York, and the UAE-US Business Council. The session brought together senior UAE officials, including His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Experience Exchange and Chair of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals; His Excellency Mohammed Abdulrahman AlHawi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Investment; His Excellency Mohammed Ali Rashid Lootah, Director General of Dubai Chambers; Lt. Col. Dr. Ahmad Al Zarooni, Director of International Police Representation, Ministry of Interior and Her Excellency Amna Binzaal Almheiri, UAE Consul General in New York. The discussion focused on mobilising private sector investment to advance sustainable and inclusive growth. Participants also explored solutions to address global skill gaps and reconfigure international trade frameworks to support development. Furthermore, the UAE delegation hosted two thematic panels. The first, 'Economic Diplomacy in Action,' examined how diplomacy can foster economic resilience and stability in alignment with SDG8. The second, 'Vision into Action,' explored policy frameworks that support SDG16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions. Growth Centred on Cooperation and Partnership: H.E. Lootah, said the UAE's model for economic growth is shaping the future of work and creating opportunities for new generations at home and abroad. He added that the UAE has succeeded in building a balanced and diversified economic model grounded in inclusiveness and sustainability, positioning the country as a key contributor to continuous development efforts and solutions to current and future challenges in line with the 2030 Agenda and beyond. H.E. Lootah emphasised that the importance of establishing global consensus around sustainable economic concepts and future work patterns, especially in the context of setting new global development goals beyond 2045 (XDGs). He noted that the UAE delegation's participation in the 2025 High-Level Political Forum aligns with this goal, aiming to strengthen partnerships and exchange expertise through strategic initiatives led by the Government Experience Exchange Programme, along with contributions from leading national entities driving inclusive and sustainable development globally. Investment in Impact: H.E. AlHawi, emphasised that the country's investment approach is centred on strategic partnerships that foster innovation and long-term growth. This approach is focused on delivering measurable outcomes and lasting impact to support inclusive development, expand economic opportunities, and contribute to broader social advancement. H.E, AlHawi said: 'The UAE is a land of opportunity. We empower youth, entrepreneurs, innovators, and researchers. Under the leadership of the UAE government, the Ministry of Investment supports transformative global investment flows – not only to foster innovation, but to cultivate talent, expand opportunity, and drive sustainable development. This vision has become reality, reflecting the UAE's commitment to building an integrated ecosystem that supports innovation and enables impactful partnerships. Through an agile regulatory framework, we aim to ensure continued private sector growth in line with the nation's goal of building a resilient, future-ready economy.' UN High-Level Political Forum: The HLPF on Sustainable Development is the UN's central platform for reviewing and advancing SDGs. Established in 2012, the forum plays a pivotal role in monitoring national and international progress on the 2030 Agenda. Participating delegations at HLPF conduct assessments of progress toward the SDGs, with this year's forum featuring in-depth reviews of five priority goals: SDG3 (ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages); SDG5 (achieving equality and empowering all women and girls); SDG8 (promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all); SDG14 (conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development); and SDG17 (strengthening and revitalising the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development).
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
8 Manipur districts top SDG 16 chart on peace, justice
Eight of the top 20 districts in the Northeast that are the best performers on the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 — peace, justice and strong institutions — are in Manipur, a NITI Aayog report on the region said on Monday. 8 Manipur districts top SDG 16 chart on peace, justice The Manipur districts of Kamjong, Noney, and Pherzawl top the NER District SDG Index 2023-24 report, with scores of 97, 96, and 93, respectively. Other Manipur districts among the top performers include Kangpokpi (90), Tengnoupal (86), Churachandpur (84), Ukhrul (84), and Tamenglong (83). All eight districts are categorised as front runners, with scores ranging between 65 and 99. To be sure, data on key crime-related indicators such as murders and crimes against children were sourced from the National Crime Records Bureau's 2022 report, the last that has been released. Manipur has been roiled by ethnic violence since May 2023 that first began in Churachandpur district. According to the think tank's classification, there are 131 districts across eight northeastern states. However, 121 districts were taken into consideration. All 16 districts of Manipur were included in the assessment. In the report, the judicial strength indicator —measuring the ratio of working to sanctioned judges in district and subordinate courts — was based on state government data as of March 31, 2024. Data on Common Service Centres (CSCs) was state-reported and reflected the situation as on March 31, 2024. Civil registration metrics such as birth and death registration percentages were drawn from the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019–21), while Aadhaar coverage data came from the UIDAI Dashboard, accessed in July 2024. The last time this report was released was in August 2021. Overall, Mizoram, Tripura, and Nagaland scores were the top performing on SDGs. Assam (74.29) showed a performance level similar to Manipur (74.29), while Meghalaya (73) was at the bottom. Manipur has been roiled by sweeping ethnic violence since May 2023 in a widespread conflict that has claimed at least 260 lives and displaced another 50,000 people. The NER District SDG Index 2023-24 assessed districts on eight core targets under SDGs, including reduction in violence, child protection, judicial capacity, digital governance, and legal identity. Targets were benchmarked using either global goals or the average performance of the top five districts. The SDGs, adopted by the UN in 2015, are a set of 17 global goals designed to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030. Each goal addresses key challenges such as hunger, health, education, gender equality, clean energy, and climate action. In the report, no northeastern district got a perfect 100 — or achiever — score. The reported murder rate per 10,000 population remained low across the state. Imphal West recorded the lowest figure at 0.10, while Churachandpur reported the highest at 0.39. Several districts — including Tamenglong, Kamjong, and Pherzawl — reported zero murders. The data is from 2022. On the judicial infrastructure front, most districts — including Chandel, Churachandpur, Jiribam, Kakching, Kamjong, Kangpokpi, Noney, Pherzawl, Tamenglong, Tengnoupal, Thoubal, and Ukhrul — reported a 1.00 ratio of working to sanctioned strength of judges in district and subordinate courts. Only Senapati (0.67) and Imphal East (0.63) reported slightly lower ratios. To be sure, HT has reported on how courts have found it difficult to function amid ethnic tensions. The number of Common Service Centres (CSCs) providing online services per 10,000 population exceeded the national benchmark (11.88) in districts such as Thoubal (11.98), Noney (11.99), and Kamjong (10.36). Other districts with relatively high CSC density include Churachandpur (13.53) and Ukhrul (12.45). Data for CSC coverage was unavailable for Jiribam, Kakching, Kangpokpi, Noney, Pherzawl, and Tengnoupal. Birth registration percentages were highest in Chandel (91.4%), Thoubal (87.2%), and Ukhrul (87.3%), but dropped to 83.6% in Bishnupur and 86.1% in Imphal East. Death registration figures varied widely. Bishnupur (24.4%), Imphal East (32.8%), and Thoubal (40.4%) were among the lowest. The highest death registration was in Tengnoupal (86%), followed by Ukhrul (84%), Tamenglong (83%), and Churachandpur (52.5%). Aadhaar enrolment exceeded 100% in Imphal East (114), Thoubal (112), and Bishnupur (112). Several other districts, including Ukhrul (86) and Chandel (78), also showed high coverage. However, the report noted missing data for key identity and registration indicators in many Manipur districts. Aadhaar coverage, birth and death registration — measured under SDG target 16.9 — were marked 'null' for several top-ranking districts. Despite this, the combination of zero reported crime and full judicial staffing contributed to high composite scores. Besides SDG 16, Pherzawl in Manipur is the only district across the Northeast to be categorised as an Aspirant under SDG 5 — Gender Equality — with a score below 50, making it the worst-performing district among the 121 assessed. Eight others, including districts like Imphal West (63), Kangpokpi (63), Bishnupur (59), North Garo Hills (59), Papum Pare (58), East Jaintia Hills (57), and Kra Daadi (55), fall in the Performer category, scoring between 50 and 64. The NER District SDG Index is a collaboration between NITI Aayog and the Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region, with UNDP as its partner. It serves as a monitoring tool to track sub-national progress on SDGs and aims to support policy action across India's northeastern states.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India achieves milestone in SDG rankings, enters top 100 list with 99th spot; global progress remains slow
Representative AI image India has, for the first time, secured a spot among the top 100 countries in the sustainable development goals (SDG) index, according to the latest Sustainable Development Report (SDR) released Tuesday by the UN sustainable development solutions network. India ranks 99th out of 167 countries on the 2025 SDG Index with a score of 67. This marks a steady rise from previous years, with India ranked 109th in 2024, 112th in 2023, and 121st in 2022. China ranks 49th with a score of 74.4, while the US stands at 44th with 75.2 points. Among India's neighbours, Bhutan ranks 74th with 70.5, Nepal 85th with 68.6, Bangladesh 114th with 63.9, and Pakistan 140th with 57. India's maritime neighbours, Maldives and Sri Lanka, are placed at 53rd and 93rd positions respectively. The SDGs were adopted in 2015 with the aim of ensuring no one is left behind in global development by 2030. Countries are scored on a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 meaning all 17 goals have been fully achieved. India's rises in SDG The report warned that global progress has largely stalled, with only 17% of the SDG targets likely to be met by 2030. It cited conflicts, structural vulnerabilities, and limited fiscal space as key barriers to progress. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรดทองCFDsกับโบรกเกอร์ที่เชื่อถือได้| เปิดบัญชีวันนี้ IC Markets สมัคร Undo European countries, particularly Nordic nations, continue to lead the rankings. Finland tops the index, followed by Sweden and Denmark. Nineteen of the top 20 countries are in Europe. However, even these high-ranking countries face difficulties meeting climate and biodiversity goals due to unsustainable consumption. East and South Asia have made the most SDG progress since 2015, driven by rapid socioeconomic growth. Nepal (+11.1), Cambodia (+10), the Philippines (+8.6), Bangladesh (+8.3), and Mongolia (+7.7) have shown the fastest improvements in the region. Other countries showing notable progress include Benin, Uzbekistan, Peru, the UAE, Costa Rica, and Saudi Arabia. While global progress is slow, many countries have improved access to basic services such as electricity, mobile broadband, internet, and healthcare. However, five areas have seen significant setbacks: obesity (SDG 2), press freedom (SDG 16), nitrogen management (SDG 2), biodiversity (SDG 15), and corruption (SDG 16). The report also highlighted global commitment to UN multilateralism, with Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago ranked as the top three most supportive countries. Among G20 nations, Brazil ranks highest at 25th, and Chile leads among OECD countries at 7th. The United States, which has distanced itself from the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda, ranks last at 193rd for the second year in a row. The report comes ahead of the fourth international conference on financing for development (FfD4) in Seville, Spain. It emphasises that the current global financial system is broken, favoring rich nations while neglecting emerging and developing economies. The report calls for urgent reform to ensure capital flows more effectively to these regions. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
NDTV
24-06-2025
- Business
- NDTV
India Enters Top 100 In Sustainable Development Goals Rankings For First Time
New Delhi: India has for the first time secured a place among the top 100 out of 193 countries ranked for their progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to a report published on Tuesday. According to the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network's 10th and latest Sustainable Development Report (SDR), India ranks 99th on the 2025 SDG Index with a score of 67, while China ranks 49th with 74.4 and the US 44th with 75.2 points. Among India's neighbours, Bhutan takes 74th place with 70.5 points, Nepal ranks 85th with 68.6, Bangladesh 114th with 63.9 and Pakistan 140th with 57 points. India's maritime neighbours, Maldives and Sri Lanka, stood at 53rd and 93rd places, respectively. The report's authors said that SDG progress has stalled at the global level, with only 17 per cent of the 17 targets adopted by the UN member countries in 2015 projected to be achieved by 2030. "Conflicts, structural vulnerabilities and limited fiscal space impede SDG progress in many parts of the world," the report, with world-renowned economist Jeffrey Sachs as its lead author, said. European countries, especially the Nordic nations, continue to top the SDG Index, with Finland ranking first, Sweden second and Denmark third. A total of 19 out of the top 20 countries are in Europe. Yet even these countries face significant challenges in achieving at least two goals, including those related to climate and biodiversity, largely due to unsustainable consumption, the authors said. East and South Asia have outperformed all other global regions in terms of SDG progress since 2015 largely due to rapid socioeconomic development. The countries in East and South Asia that have demonstrated the fastest progress since 2015 (in points) include Nepal (+11.1), Cambodia (+10), the Philippines (+8.6), Bangladesh (+8.3) and Mongolia (+7.7). The other countries showing rapid progress among their peers include Benin (+14.5), Peru (+8.7), the United Arab Emirates (+9.9), Uzbekistan (+12.1), Costa Rica (+7) and Saudi Arabia (+8.1). Though only 17 per cent of the targets are on track to be achieved worldwide, most UN member states have made strong progress on targets related to access to basic services and infrastructure, including mobile broadband use (SDG 9), access to electricity (SDG 7), internet use (SDG 9), under-five mortality rate (SDG 3) and neonatal mortality (SDG 3). Five targets show significant reversals in progress since 2015. These are obesity rate (SDG 2), press freedom (SDG 16), sustainable nitrogen management (SDG 2), the Red List Index (SDG 15) and the Corruption Perceptions Index (SDG 16). The report said the top three countries most committed to the UN multilateralism are Barbados (1), Jamaica (2) and Trinidad and Tobago (3). Among G20 nations, Brazil (25) ranks highest, while Chile (7) leads among OECD countries. The United States, which recently withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement and the World Health Organization (WHO) and formally declared its opposition to the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda, ranks last (193rd) for the second year in a row. The report, which comes ahead of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville, Spain, (June 30-July 3) noted the global financial architecture (GFA) is broken. "Money flows readily to rich countries and not to the emerging and developing economies (EMDEs) that offer higher growth potential and rates of return. At the top of the agenda at FfD4 is the need to reform the GFA so that capital flows in far larger sums to the EMDEs," it said.
