New Delhi, Feb 25, 2023: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator, Mr. Achim Steiner, is set to visit India from February 26 to February 28, 2023. During his two-day mission, the Administrator is expected to meet key government officials, development partners, and private sector leaders and reaffirm UNDP's commitment to support India's development priorities.

Mr. Steiner is expected to meet Mr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Health and Family Welfare; Mr. G. Kishan Reddy, Minister of Development of North Eastern Region; Mr. Amitabh Kant, G-20 Sherpa; and Mr. Suman Bery, Vice Chairperson, NITI Aayog.

Mr. Steiner will also join a global 'LiFEathon' event where young innovators from over 60 countries will join a virtual hackathon organized together with NITI Aayog. This hackathon will provide an opportunity for the innovators to contribute ideas to promote sustainable lifestyles and behaviour change as part of the Government of India's flagship LiFE campaign.

On the occasion of National Science Day, Mr. Steiner will deliver a lecture at IIT Delhi on the role of Science, Technology, and Innovation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. He will also participate in roundtable discussions on low-carbon and climate-resilient growth pathways and discuss emerging priorities toward climate action.

Mr. Steiner will attend a joint programme signing between the International Solar Alliance and UNDP India to initiate a multi-country project on solar applications for agriculture.

The Administrator will visit the Lady Hardinge Hospital to witness how the Government of India is digitalizing its immunization programme supported by UNDP. He will see eVIN, the vaccine supply chain management system, Co-WIN, the digital backbone of India's vaccination programme, and U-WIN, a new digital platform piloted by the Government of India for routine vaccination processes.

This visit will follow Mr. Steiner earlier participation at the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meetings in Bengaluru on February 24 and 25 as a representative of the UN Secretary-General in the Finance Track.

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Note to Editors

About Mr. Achim Steiner

Achim Steiner became UNDP Administrator on Jun 19, 2017. The United Nations General Assembly confirmed his appointment following his nomination by Secretary-General António Guterres. In April 2021, the General Assembly confirmed his appointment to a second four-year term beginning in June 2021.

Mr. Steiner is also the Vice-Chair of the UN Sustainable Development Group, which unites 40 entities of the UN system that work to support sustainable development.

Over nearly three decades, Achim Steiner has been a global leader in sustainable development, climate resilience, and international cooperation. He has worked tirelessly to champion sustainability, economic growth, and equality for the vulnerable and has been a vocal advocate for Sustainable Development Goals.

Prior to joining UNDP, he was Director of the Oxford Martin School and Professorial Fellow of Balliol College, University of Oxford. Mr. Steiner has served across the United Nations system, looking at global challenges from both a humanitarian and a development perspective. He led the United Nations Environment Programme (2006-2016), helping governments invest in clean technologies and renewable energy. He was also Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi. Achim Steiner previously held other notable positions, including Director General of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Secretary General of the World Commission on Dams.

Achim Steiner has lived and worked in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. He graduated in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (MA) from Worcester College, Oxford University, and holds an MA from the University of London/School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).

About UNDP in India

UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development. Together with the Government of India and development partners, we have worked towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening local governance, enhancing community resilience, protecting the environment, supporting policy initiatives and institutional reforms, and accelerating sustainable development for all.

With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational governments to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. UNDP is committed to supporting the Government of India's national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.

For more information, please contact:

Amrah Ashraf

Head, Communications, and Partnerships

amrah.ashraf@undp.org

Ankita Bhalla

Communications Officer

ankita.bhalla@undp.org