India and the UN Office for South-South Cooperation have launched a partnership fund that will support sustainable development projects across the developing world. <br/><br/>The India-UN Development Partnership Fund will implement country-level projects that are catalytic towards achieving the 17 sustainable development goals of the 2030 Agenda. <br/><br/>The initiative is aimed at reducing poverty and hunger, improving health, education and equality, and expanding access to clean water, energy and livelihoods.<br/><br/>The fund was launched yesterday on the occasion of the World Oceans Day at a special ceremony held at the Permanent Mission of India to the UN. Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar, Envoy of the Secretary-General on South-South Cooperation Jorge Chediek and India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin were present on the occasion.<br/><br/>In a message, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres congratulated India on its strengthened partnership with the UN system through the partnership fund.