SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN RELATION WITH HUMAN RIGHTS AND ITS AGENDA 2030

AUTHOR – ISHIKA KHURANA* & MR. MANISH BHARADWAJ**

* STUDENT, IXTH SEMESTER, LAW COLLEGE DEHRADUN, UTTARANCHAL UNIVERSITY, DEHRADUN, 248007, INDIA, EMAIL: ISHIKAKHURANA23@GMAIL.COM

** ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, LAW COLLEGE DEHRADUN, UTTARANCHAL UNIVERSITY, DEHRADUN, 248007, INDIA

BEST CITATION – ISHIKA KHURANA & MR. MANISH BHARADWAJ, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN RELATION WITH HUMAN RIGHTS AND ITS AGENDA 2030, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (10) OF 2025, PG. 76-84, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT

Human rights are fundamental to all three of sustainable development’s dimensions—social, environmental, and economic—and are necessary to achieve development that leaves no one behind. This research paper provides an in-depth analysis of the interconnectedness between human rights and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It emphasizes the role that human rights play in achieving the three pillars of sustainable development—social, environmental, and economic—and their centrality in the overarching goal of “leaving no one behind.” The paper illustrates how the 169 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are deeply aligned with international human rights norms, with over 90% of the SDG targets being in harmony with fundamental labour and human rights principles. A key argument in the paper is that the SDG framework and human rights principles reinforce each other, especially with regard to equality, non-discrimination, and the inclusion of marginalized groups. The paper highlights the explicit connections between specific SDG targets and key human rights provisions, underscoring the role of human rights frameworks in shaping the achievement of the SDGs. The paper also stresses the importance of accountability in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, particularly through Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). It advocates for integrating human rights reporting into the VNR process and provides guidance on how states can reuse their existing human rights reports to meet the SDG monitoring requirements. This approach is particularly relevant for ensuring transparent, participatory, and inclusive processes in the monitoring and reporting of progress towards the SDGs. Disaggregated data is presented as a critical tool for understanding the specific challenges faced by excluded and vulnerable groups. The research advocates for a human rights-based approach to the 2030 Agenda, which requires addressing the needs of those most behind and ensuring that data collection and analysis reflect the realities of marginalized communities. Finally, the paper highlights the role of the United Nations (UN) system, especially the Human Rights Council (HRC), UNDP, OHCHR, and UN Country Teams, in supporting the integration of human rights into the implementation of the SDGs. The paper concludes by urging the institutionalization of human rights- based approaches within the UN’s development activities, emphasizing that the achievement of the SDGs depends on robust, rights-oriented governance and accountability mechanisms .In essence, this research paper provides a comprehensive framework for integrating human rights into the implementation and monitoring of the 2030 Agenda, calling for greater collaboration among governments, international institutions, and the private sector to ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of sustainable development.

Keywords: Human Rights, Agenda 2030, SDG Targets, Human Rights Council, Voluntary National Review