Northeast India Showcases Integrated Development Model At UN Human Rights Council

At the 60th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, the India Water Foundation (IWF) spotlighted Northeast India’s transformation from a historically marginalised region to a model of integrated development. During a high-level policy dialogue titled “From Periphery to Mainstream: Northeast India’s Development Pathways” on September 12 at the Palais des Nations, experts and policymakers gathered to discuss how the region’s strategies in connectivity, sustainability, and community engagement could inspire equitable growth in the Global South. Participants, including UN ESCAP’s Mikiko Tanaka, IHE Delft Rector Prof. Eddy Moors, ICIMOD Director General Dr Pema Gyamtsho, and UNOPS India Manager Vinod Mishra, emphasised Northeast India’s role as a strategic gateway to ASEAN and BIMSTEC economies, blending infrastructure with ecological preservation.

The dialogue highlighted landmark achievements that underscore the region’s holistic approach. Sikkim’s certification as the world’s first fully organic state in 2016, achieved through a ban on chemical pesticides and fertilisers, has boosted ecotourism and organic exports while preserving biodiversity. Mizoram recently attained full functional literacy with a 98.2% rate in 2025, surpassing the 95% threshold set by India’s Ministry of Education, driven by community-led campaigns and digital tools. In Assam, the Cancer Care Foundation has established South Asia’s largest network of 17 specialised hospitals, a joint initiative with Tata Trusts costing ₹4,000 crore, providing affordable treatment to underserved populations and reducing the need for patients to travel to distant cities. These milestones reflect a balanced model integrating economic growth—with the region’s GDP expanding at 11-12% annually—with social equity and environmental resilience.

Complementing the event, IWF President Dr Arvind Kumar delivered an oral intervention during the Interactive Dialogue on the Right to Development, critiquing the Global North’s historical pollution and advocating for climate justice as a cornerstone of equitable progress. He highlighted India’s gender-responsive initiatives, such as women-led water governance and climate-resilient agriculture under the National Adaptation Fund, urging scaled-up finance beyond the $100 billion commitment to support low-carbon pathways in developing nations. Kumar stressed South-South cooperation, including technology sharing and disaster risk reduction, positioning Northeast India as a replicable example for Global South regions facing similar challenges like climate vulnerability and border connectivity. This aligns with India’s broader “Development Compact” framework, which promotes capacity building and concessional finance to empower southern economies.

Also Read: Palaniswami Heads To Delhi Amid AIADMK Unity Talks, May Meet Amit Shah

Northeast India’s journey, once hindered by isolation and conflict, now exemplifies inclusive development through initiatives like the Act East Policy, which enhances rail, road, and waterway links to Southeast Asia. As Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia noted, the region’s potential as a “launchpad for the Global South” could drive trade and investment, fostering partnerships in renewable energy and skill development. The UNHRC discussions reinforce that community-driven models, prioritising women’s leadership and indigenous knowledge, offer practical pathways for sustainable growth amid global inequalities. While challenges like ethnic tensions persist, Northeast India’s progress signals a scalable precedent for the Global South, emphasising solidarity over division.

Also Read: Trump Begins UK State Visit Blending Trade Talks With Royal Pageantry