Odisha wins Guangzhou Award for Urban Innovation 2021

Bhubaneswar: Odisha won the International online Popular City Award at the 5th Guangzhou Award for Urban Innovation 2021 on Friday, receiving more than 4.60 lakh votes from across the world.

People across the globe selected the Urban Wage Employment Initiative (UWEI) now known as MUKTA programme of Government of Odisha from among 15 other international programmes and cities.

The State also received Medals of Honour for two of its key initiatives – Urban Wage Employment Initiative (MUKTA) and Faecal Sludge & Septage Management (FSSM) – for their outstanding contribution to local implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the New Urban Agenda.

The two programmes were globally recognised from among 273 initiatives from 175 cities and local governments in 60 countries including Australia, China, South Africa, USA, Brazil and Denmark.

While the UWEI was selected for reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing resilience of the urban poor, FSSM in Berhampur was shortlisted for promoting sustainable environment conservation and women empowerment through FSSM.

Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik congratulated the H&UD department for this International Award.