ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the key concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The book aims to bring together several conceptual frameworks and strands of analysis in the emergent field of sustainable development research in South Asia. It explores mainstreaming sustainable development goals (SDGs) into national and subnational policies and plans, resource availability and financing for the SDGs, institutional framework: implementation and coordination of SDGs, quality data for analysis, and the role of regional cooperation, partnerships and stakeholder participation in implementing the SDGs. The book considers the symbiotic nature of the development goals and the need for cross-institutional, cross-sectoral and cross-goal thinking. It is worth emphasising that there is less than expected correlation between levels of per capita income and degree of development on the one hand and the achievement of the SDGs on the other. There are variations in 2015 baseline given the uneven progress in South Asia with regard to millennium development goals.
