The Global Human Development Report (HDR) was launched this morning by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka. The 30th anniversary edition of the HDR 2020, titled ‘The Next Frontier: Human Development and the Anthropocene’, includes a new experimental index; the Planetary Pressures-Adjusted Human Development Index (PHDI) on human progress which takes into account countries’ carbon dioxide emissions and material footprint.
Sri Lanka retains its position as the lead for the South Asian region and moves up the rank by 34 positions in the new PHDI from 169 countries and territories in the world.
In the Human Development Index (HDI), Sri Lanka is positioned at 72 out of 189 countries and territories, with ‘High Human Development’ with an HDI value of 0.782.
Ceremoniously receiving the report at the virtual launch in Sri Lanka, Dullas Alahapperuma, Minister of Power said, “the Government of Sri Lanka aims to build a Green Economy that will generate new industries by local entrepreneurs. Through renewable energy, we can create low-cost, low-carbon energy. A Green Economy will improve energy security, improve environmental and public health, and create better and more jobs. And with the vision of H.E. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, we commit to ensure that the environment is protected in all our development plans. It is with great pleasure that we welcome UNDPs coordinated support to ushering in aspects of a Green Economy.”
Speaking at the event, Robert Juhkam, Resident Representative of UNDP in Sri Lanka said, “UNDP stands committed in supporting Sri Lanka to define and operationalize its national development plan in a way that is underpinned by Green Development thinking, with consideration for socio-economic impacts of COVID-19. UNDP commits to helping establish a platform for all partners and stakeholders to come together in achieving a Green development pathway: government, private sector, civil society, academia, development partners, and our sister UN agencies.”
According to the report, easing planetary pressures in a way that enables all people to flourish in this new age requires dismantling the gross imbalances of power and opportunity that stand in the way of transformation.
