As the world gathers for the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Reliance Foundation, Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and the United Nations in India are hosting India Day @ UNGA on Wednesday 24th September.

Over the past four years, Reliance Foundation has been building momentum for dialogues, innovations and ideas from India and the region during the UNGA week, for greater momentum towards the Sustainable Development Goals and beyond, while also showcasing best practices and case studies from the region. With 2030 fast approaching, there is an urgent need for the world to reflect, recommit, and reimagine the path ahead to development.

This year’s ‘India Day @ UNGA’ sessions will provide a platform for conversations around India and the Global South's leadership in providing development solutions to the world. The event includes three panel discussions, which focus on insights from the last decade of India’s journey of SDG implementation, and highlight innovative models from the Global South across key levers such as technology and women empowerment to accelerate progress as we near 2030.

Session 1 | The SDG journey so far: Lessons and learnings from 10 years of implementation

In the context of the Government of India and other nations’ Voluntary National Review (VNR) on SDGs this year, and focusing on the themes, insights and learnings from the RF x ORF x UN publication, this panel will take stock of India’s SDG journey so far, and explore insights and learnings from the last decade of implementation. This panel will also explore how the private sector in particular has contributed to the achievement of the SDG goals to-date, how we can fast-track achievement of the goals by 2030, and how South x South and regional cooperation strengthen development outcomes.

Session 2 | Advancing Development in the age of AI

AI is driving transformations across a spectrum of sectors including health, education, agriculture, and smart cities, and India is leading the way with tech-driven social and development change. The combination of AI and emerging tech, and the growing use of digital public goods, open-source platforms and data-driven governance tools, have become integral to efforts to meet the SDGs. This panel will deliberate on the potential for technology to advance financial inclusion, as well as delve into domain specific use-cases such as edtech, healthtech, agritech, etc. Additionally, it will touch on AI and human agency – how do we ensure we preserve and respect human agency and rights while leveraging AI and new technologies to advance progress towards the SDGs?

Session 3 | Catalyst for Change: Accelerating Women’s Empowerment in the Last Mile to 2030

Women and girls are pivotal agents of change across the SDGs, from healthcare and education to climate resilience and economic inclusion, especially in rural, remote, and underserved communities. Proven models of local leadership, women-led entrepreneurship, and community-driven innovation are already delivering measurable impact, but require greater visibility, investment, and support to scale. Equally, initiatives that empower girls by enabling access to resources and opportunities and building their agency are crucial to ensure a more equitable and prosperous future for women. Cross-sector collaboration, inclusive governance, and digital tools offer powerful pathways to bridge the gap between ambition and implementation. This panel will explore how innovative approaches to women and girls’ empowerment can drive transformative outcomes and accelerate SDG delivery as we near 2030, through scalable models, integrated planning, and strengthened partnerships.