Is India’s NorthEast setting precedent of Integrated Development for Global South?

IWF organised a High-Level Policy Dialogue titled “From Periphery to Mainstream: North East India’s Development Pathways” on 12 September at Palais des Nations, bringing together policymakers, experts, and UN representatives to showcase Northeast India’s transformation from a peripheral region to a dynamic growth corridor. Distinguished participants included Ms. Mikiko Tanaka, Director at UN ESCAP’s South & Southwest Asia Office; Dr. Arvind Kumar, President, India Water Foundation; Prof. Eddy Moors, Rector, IHE Delft; Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, Director General, ICIMOD; Mr. Vinod Mishra, UNOPS India Country Manager; (Moderator) Ms. Shweta Tyagi, Chief Functionary of IWF; and Mr. Satheesh Kumar Damodaran, Swiss Government IT professional. The speakers collectively highlighted how the region’s development journey exemplifies the integration of connectivity, sustainability, and community participation. They underscored landmark achievements such as Sikkim’s transition into the world’s first fully organic state, Mizoram’s full literacy attainment, and Assam’s establishment of South Asia’s largest cancer care network.

They echoed the need for community-driven, inclusive development that balances infrastructure expansion with ecological conservation and human welfare. The importance of regional cooperation, cross-border trade facilitation, knowledge sharing, and disaster risk reduction was widely recognized. Experts emphasized the role of women’s leadership, digital tools, and multi-level partnerships in accelerating progress, while insisting that climate resilience be central to development planning.

During the 7th meeting focusing on the Interactive Dialogue of Expert Mechanism on Right to Development Dr. Arvind Kumar, President, India Water Foundation also delivered a powerful intervention accusing global north as a historical polluter. He called for advancing discussions on equitable development, climate action, and human rights reinforcing that climate justice is integral to development efforts. “Climate action must be gender-responsive, adequately funded, and rooted in international solidarity,” he stated. Dr. Kumar called for equitable sharing of the burdens and benefits of climate action, especially for nations that contribute minimally to emissions but bear severe impacts highlighting the historical responsibility of the Global North.

Dr. Kumar elaborated on India’s initiatives that embed gender equality in development, citing programs that promote women’s leadership in water governance, renewable energy adoption, and climate-resilient agriculture. The National Adaptation Fund on Climate Change supports community-led solutions, while targeted financing enables women farmers and entrepreneurs to adopt sustainable practices.

He urged the international community to scale up climate finance beyond the USD 100 billion commitment, ensuring that developing nations can pursue low-carbon, climate-resilient pathways without compromising growth and social equity. Dr. Kumar also reaffirmed India’s commitment to South-South cooperation, sharing affordable technologies, disaster risk reduction expertise, and capacity-building initiatives.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Kumar emphasized that climate justice must move from principle to practice: “Our collective efforts must ensure that climate justice is not an abstract ideal but a practical reality accessible, equitable, and effective in safeguarding the planet while advancing the Right to Development for all.”

Together, the side event and Dr. Kumar’s intervention spotlighted Northeast India’s role as a strategic gateway to ASEAN and BIMSTEC economies and demonstrated India’s leadership in promoting climate justice, sustainable development, and inclusive growth. The discussions underscored that partnerships, solidarity, and community-driven action are indispensable to addressing global challenges.