Islamabad (TDI): Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met with Mohammed Yahya, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, on Tuesday to discuss Pakistan’s debt management, restructuring efforts, and major development challenges.
Yahya was accompanied by Abdullah Fadil, a UNICEF representative, and other senior UN officials, including Afke Bootsman and Luay Shabaneh.
The meeting focused on several critical matters, including debt restructuring, climate financing, sustainable development goals (SDGs), and Pakistan’s transition to green energy.
Aurangzeb stressed that Pakistan is grappling with two major existential challenges: climate change and population growth, and that these matters must be addressed for long-term stability and development.
“No amount of economic stability and development could be sustained without addressing these two critical problems,” Aurangzeb stated.
Read More: Aurangzeb, Anita Discuss Polio Eradication in Pakistan
He reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to working alongside its development partners, including the UN, to meet the SDGs and build a resilient, sustainable future.
The finance minister also underlined Pakistan’s ongoing partnership with the World Bank, especially in areas such as population management and learning poverty.
He emphasized the significance of technical support to design and implement projects that adhere to global standards.
Read More: Aurangzeb Unveils Pakistan’s $200M Panda Bond Plan
Aurangzeb provided an update on the country’s economic outlook, underlining improvements in major economic indicators and emphasizing the role of the private sector in driving inclusive and sustainable development.
The meeting also explored options for increasing climate financing and accelerating green energy initiatives to back Pakistan’s transition to a more sustainable energy future.
Discussions included equipping Pakistan’s youth with entrepreneurial skills to contribute to the economy’s long-term development, and the significance of continued global support in overcoming the country’s challenges.
The meeting concluded with a call for enhanced technical and financial assistance from the global community to help Pakistan achieve its development goals and tackle the dual challenges of climate change and population growth.
