SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES FOR SOUTH ASIAN COUNTRIES

Purpose of the study: Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations (UN) in 2015 comprising a universally acceptable worldwide development agenda which each country of the world has to achieve till 2030. The purpose of this study is to examine the socio-economic and political transformational challenges confronted to South Asian Countries (SA) i.e. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, in achieving the targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Methodology: The study uses different statistics of World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Health Organizations (WHO), and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to give a comprehensive picture of South Asian economies and the challenges which they are currently facing for achieving the targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In our preliminary analysis, the methodology highlighted the issues of South Asian Countries such as poverty (SDG 1), healthy lives and well-being (SDG 3), inclusive and equitable quality education (SDG 4), sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all (SDG 8)". Principal Findings: The statistics presented regarding South Asian economies exhibit a dismal picture. At present, the attainment of these stipulated goals seems impossible and remains elusive if some serious measures have not been taken. The role of DCs and the world community as a whole is significant in this regard. To save the planet from extreme poverty, hunger, malnutrition, equitable access to modern technology, improved education and health for all human beings, the developed countries should give at least one percent of their GNP in the form of development assistance to poor countries. The study suggests that good governance that could undertake and implement structural reforms is necessary to deal with the challenges confronting to South Asian countries in achieving the targets of these stipulated goals. More importantly, the Developed Countries (DCs) started to implement their strategies to view SDGs' targets. Now it is a dire need that DCs should assist the Under Developed Countries (UDCs) and help them from their experience in identifying the transformational challenges which they possibly have to face in achieving SDGs' targets. Otherwise, it looks impossible for the UDCs to come up with these targets till 2030. Applications of this study: The study highlighted some key challenges that South Asian countries face to achieve the targets of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study outcomes can prove very much helpful for South Asian countries for achieving these targets and devising thriving economic policies generous to attaining their targets till 2030. Novelty/Originality of this study: This study gives a brief picture of the current position of the South Asian countries where they stand regard to Sustainable Development Goals' targets. Moreover, the results and policy recommendations presented at the end of the study provides help to deal with the challenges that are big hindrances in achieving the targets of these SDGs.