SDGs and country ranking: Sri Lanka improves in 2021

With COVID-19 there is a strategic window opened for Sri Lanka in which opportunities have been created for the nation – Pic by Shehan Gunasekara

The economic consequences of the corona pandemic are always unpredictable. There are many challenges for any nation and how you convert that into an opportunity is critical. In this context, we can see Sri Lanka elevating from 94 (in the year 2020) to 87 in the year 2021 in country ranking in Sustainable Development Goals.

What is Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

As per United Nations, “The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership. They recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.” 

The 17 SDGs are: (1) No Poverty, (2) Zero Hunger, (3) Good Health and Well-being, (4) Quality Education, (5) Gender Equality, (6) Clean Water and Sanitation, (7) Affordable and Clean Energy, (8) Decent Work and Economic Growth, (9) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, (10) Reducing Inequality, (11) Sustainable Cities and Communities, (12) Responsible Consumption and Production, (13) Climate Action, (14) Life Below Water, (15) Life on Land, (16) Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, (17) Partnerships for the Goals.

 Evaluation of SDGs

Evaluation processes will play a crucial role in national and international review systems for the Sustainable Development Goals. “As the lead UN development agency, UNDP is well-placed to help implement the goals through our work in some 170 countries and territories. UNDP supports countries in achieving the SDGs through integrated solutions. (UNDP)”. As per UNDP, “Achieving the SDGs requires the partnership of governments, private sector, civil society and citizens alike to make sure we leave a better planet for future generations.”

Sri Lanka in the Year 2021

Overall performance of Sri Lanka in 2021 is 87 out of 165 countries. This is a remarkable achievement as in the year 2020 it was 94 (out of 166 countries) and year 2019 the overall performance of Sri Lanka was 93 (out of 162 countries). The table shows the overall performance of other countries in our region in the year 2021.

By looking at ‘SDG Dashboards and Trends’ Sri Lanka is ‘On track or maintaining SDG achievement’ in three SDGs named as ‘No poverty’, ‘Quality education’ and ‘Climate action’. And also ‘Moderately improving’ can be seen from the categories of ‘Zero Hunger’, ‘Good Health and Well Being’, ‘Clean water and sanitation’, ‘Affordable and clean energy’, ‘decent work and economic growth’ and ‘Industry innovation, and infrastructure’.

Conclusion

With COVID-19 there is a strategic window opened for Sri Lanka in which opportunities have been created for the nation. This positive achievement of SDGs for the year 2021 needs to be taken as one of the main indicators for the development of a country with sustainability. And also, citizens of the country should understand their role in this critical moment. Interestingly Dr. W.A. Wijewardena, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has vividly elaborated this context in his article titled ‘Budget 2021: Gota’s Third War, but forgive me, it is our war too’. 

Accordingly, Wijewardena (2020) argued, “Sri Lanka is at war today and it is Gota’s Third War. But it is not his war alone; it is our war too. We all should fight it with vigour, rigour, perseverance, and determination. The whole nation should help Gota by working harder, two or three times harder than before, to take the country out of the present economic malaise. That is the only source of progress. Without that, the Budget 2021 will only be another document with no practical relevance.” Hence there is a prerequisite for all citizens in Sri Lanka to understand the situation and provide the best for the country.

“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” – John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address, 20 January 1961

(The writer is Professor in Management Studies at Open University of Sri Lanka and can be reached via email: [email protected].)