In his speech to the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast support for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Additionally, he highlighted the nation’s major climate resilience and socioeconomic projects.
In his national statement at the event, Dar described the important policy initiatives Pakistan is taking to promote economic reform, inclusive growth, and climate resilience in the face of escalating global issues, including food poverty and climate change.
He stated, “Uraan Pakistan is a national development project aimed at empowering youth and promoting innovation.” He added that the food problem and climate change are two of the most important issues of our day.
Dar emphasized the following important initiatives:
Program for Benazir Income Support (BISP): referred to as a social protection flagship project that offers vital assistance to communities that are at risk.
Two initiatives that were highlighted as part of Pakistan’s push for renewable energy and climate resilience were Living Indus and Recharge Pakistan.
Digital Youth Programs: Efforts to improve educational access, generate career opportunities, and give young people digital skills.
Daanish schools were established to provide equal access to high-quality education for worthy and poor children.
Dar also underlined how important it is for the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to match FDI with Pakistan’s sustainable development goals, particularly in areas that are essential to long-term economic expansion.
Call for global reform
In order to help developing countries like Pakistan achieve their sustainable goals, the deputy prime minister urged international cooperation and called for a more equitable and inclusive international financial architecture. He emphasized the need for a financial system that is equitable, inclusive, and sensitive to the Global South’s development requirements.
New York diplomatic engagements
Deputy Prime Minister Dar is anticipated to have a full diplomatic program during his week-long official visit to the United States:
- Meet with the president of the UN General Assembly and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
- Attend the Convention on the Conservation of Marine Biological Diversity signing ceremony.
- Preside over important UN Security Council sessions.
