New York, 20 September, 2023(GNP): Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar emphasized the need for providing adequate resources to impoverished nations to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking at the SDG Summit Leaders Dialogue 6, themed “Mobilizing finance and investments and the means of implementation for SDG achievement,” Kakar underscored that after eight years since the adoption of Agenda 2030, only 12 percent of the SDG targets were on track, exacerbated by the crises of Covid, Climate, and Conflict impacting developing economies.
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Kakar criticized the international financial architecture as “morally bankrupt” and called for reforms. The SDG Summit marks the halfway point for achieving the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.
Highlighting Pakistan’s position, Kakar outlined that at the forthcoming CoP28, the country would advocate for climate justice, including fulfilling the pledge of providing over $100 billion annually in climate finance, allocating half to climate adaptation, and launching the Fund for “loss and damage.”
Caretaker PM also welcomed the inclusion of proposals from Pakistan and other developing nations in the SDG Summit Political Declaration, including early capitalization of Multilateral Development Banks, re-channeling Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) for development, and international financial architecture reform. He proposed the creation of a Working Group for immediate implementation.
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Expressing his support for the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Kakar emphasized the importance of adequate financing and highlighted China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as crucial for SDG achievement.
He also expressed Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with China and other members of the Group of Friends of GDI to collectively achieve SDGs. The event featured opening remarks by high-level dignitaries and presentations on GDI cooperation.
