IPU Asia-Pacific Regional Seminar concludes in Pakistan
Islamabad, 14 September 2022 (TDI): IPU Asia-Pacific its 3rd Regional Seminar concludes in Pakistan for parliamentarians of the Asia-Pacific region at the National Assembly of Pakistan on Wednesday. The seminar aimed at mobilizing parliamentary mechanisms and practices to institutionalize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Session on Parliamentary Mechanisms n’ Practices to Institutionalize the SDG’s begins under Chairpersonship of @MNARomina, Convener, National Parliamentary Task Force on SDGs pic.twitter.com/rwLg6F3jIp
— National Assembly of Pakistan🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) September 14, 2022
Highlights from the Seminar
The seminar was jointly organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the National Assembly of Pakistan. Eight countries attended the seminar, while several of Pakistan’s federal ministers were also present.
Additionally, the National Assembly Speaker of Pakistan, Raja Pervez Ashraf, urged parliamentarians from Asia-Pacific to support the flood-ravaged Pakistan in his inaugural address.
Romina Khurshid Alam, Member of National Assembly (MNA) Pakistan, convener, and part of the National Parliamentary Task Force on SDGs moderated the session.
She said the two-day seminar was being held in a bid to sensitize the international community. Particularly for the member countries of the IPU, it is about time to help with the climate-induced catastrophe in Pakistan.
Another agenda item targeted at achieving the SDGs was the role of women in the development of Pakistan. Pakistan’s Federal Minister of Finance and Revenue, Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, and MNA Kashmala Tariq lead a conversation on the issue.
2nd session of the day on “Women at the Center of Development Agenda” moderated by Hon. @SyedaNosheenPK. Expert presentation by Mr. @HassanHakeem87 @UN_Women.
Hon. @kashmalamna participated and Hon. @AishaGPasha concluded the session. #IPUinPakistan@IPUparliament@NAofPakistan pic.twitter.com/wDnt0m9mox— SDGs Secretariat (@SecretariatSDGs) September 14, 2022
Additionally, the role of youth in realizing the SDGs was also highlighted. The Special Assistant on Youth Affairs, Shaza Fatima was called in to expand on the agenda.
Special Assistant on Youth affairs Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja during his closing remarks at the 3rd IPU Seminar said that it is absolutely necessary to hear young voices to tackle global challenges particularly climate change#IPUinPakistan pic.twitter.com/mYutHB739M
— National Assembly of Pakistan🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) September 14, 2022
Read more: USAID releases Pakistan Floods Fact Sheet
Pakistan receives priority in the next IPU Plenary Session
The Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani also proposed that the IPU include Pakistan’s recent flood crisis as an emergency agenda item in the upcoming plenary session of the IPU. This plenary session is scheduled to be held in Kigali, Rwanda, in October.
Duarte Pacheco, president of IPU, lauded the efforts of Pakistan extended to millions of distressed people in the wake of massive torrential rains and super floods.
He also agreed to the call of Pakistan’s Senate Chairman on adding Pakistan’s recent flood crisis as an emergency agenda item for the next plenary session.
