Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar addressed the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, reaffirming Pakistan’s strong commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
He also highlighted the country’s key socio-economic and climate resilience initiatives. In his national statement at the forum, Dar outlined the significant policy actions Pakistan is undertaking to drive inclusive growth, climate resilience, and economic reform, and to advance economic reform amidst growing global challenges, including food insecurity and climate change.
“Food crisis and climate change are among the most pressing challenges of our time,” he stated, adding that “Uraan Pakistan is a national development project aimed at empowering youth and promoting innovation.”
Key Initiatives Highlighted by Dar:
- Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP): Described as a flagship social protection initiative, providing crucial support to vulnerable communities.
- Living Indus and Recharge Pakistan: Both projects were highlighted as part of Pakistan’s climate resilience and renewable energy drive.
- Digital Youth Programs: Initiatives aimed at equipping the youth with digital skills, creating employment opportunities, and enhancing educational access.
- Establishment of Daanish Schools: Schools designed for deserving and underprivileged children to promote equal access to quality education.
Dar also emphasized the crucial role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) in aligning foreign direct investment (FDI) with Pakistan’s sustainable development priorities, especially in sectors key to long-term economic growth.
Call for Global Reform
The Deputy PM called for a more just and inclusive international financial architecture, urging global cooperation to support the sustainable goals of developing nations like Pakistan. “We need a financial system that is fair, inclusive, and responsive to the development needs of the Global South,” he stressed.
Diplomatic Engagements in New York
Deputy Prime Minister Dar is currently on a week-long official visit to the United States, where he is expected to have a packed diplomatic schedule:
- Hold meetings with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the President of the UN General Assembly.
- Participate in the signing ceremony of the Convention on the Conservation of Marine Biological Diversity.
- Chair key sessions of the United Nations Security Council.
