New Delhi, August 1, 2025 – In a move aimed at fostering south-south cooperation and accelerating the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), India has launched four new capacity building projects under its UN Global Capacity Building Initiative.
The first tranche of these projects was officially inaugurated by Secretary (West) Shri Tanmaya Lal in the presence of Heads of Missions from countries where the initiatives are being implemented, as well as senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs. The launch marks a significant step towards enhancing technical and economic cooperation between India and the global south.
The UN Global Capacity Building Initiative is an extension of India's long-standing capacity building efforts in technical and economic areas. The country has been at the forefront of providing training and technical assistance to nearly 160 countries, with more than 120,000 training slots provided every year through its flagship programme, Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC). Over 225,000 training slots have been offered since the inception of ITEC.
The four new projects launched today are designed to support human resources development in participating countries. The initiatives include:
Rice Fortification and Supply Chain Management in Nepal, supported by the World Food Programme
Digital Health Platform for Zambia and Lao PDR, supported by UNDP
Census Preparedness in Belize, Barbados, St Kitts & Navies, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago, supported by the UN Population Fund
Vocational Training Programme for South Sudan, supported by UNESCO
These projects will be implemented through the ITEC programme of the Government of India, with support from UN agencies. The Indian government will work closely with host governments to identify SDG-oriented projects and other aspects, while the training component will be implemented through ITEC.
The launch of these capacity building initiatives reflects India's commitment to promoting development cooperation in the global south. By leveraging its expertise in technical and economic areas, India aims to support the achievement of SDGs and contribute to a more equitable and sustainable world.
Conclusion:
The launch of four new capacity building projects under the UN Global Capacity Building Initiative marks an important step towards fostering south-south cooperation and accelerating SDG achievement. With its long-standing expertise in technical and economic areas, India is well-positioned to support the development needs of participating countries and contribute to a more sustainable future.