Islamabad (TDI): Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has said that work on forming 17 task forces for materializing UN’s 17 goals of the sustainable development has been completed that would will closely monitor related projects.
In a meeting, on preparations for participation in the COP29 conference, development and economic strategy, with Ambassador Munir Akram, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, the Federal Minister further said that the 17 task forces will soon be established in the Ministry of Planning.
This will monitor and ensure implementation of the UN’s SDGs at the national and provincial levels.
Mentioning Pakistan’s efforts on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan is the first country to make these goals a formal part of its national development agenda through Parliament.
“All our development plans are aligned with these goals,” said Ahsan Iqbal.
Besides the task forces, the SDG Unit, established in the Ministry of Planning, now has the status of a dedicated section, which reviews the implementation of these plans and formulates strategies for achieving these goals, he added.
Ahsan Iqbal stated that Pakistan is committed to the United Nations Development Goals and will actively participate in the COP29 conference in Baku, Azarbaijan this month, where environmental priorities, also part of SDGs, will be highlighted.
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He said that despite having the lowest carbon emissions in the world, Pakistan is among the countries most affected by climate and environmental changes. A panel discussion will be held at Pakistan Pavilion in which international participants will participate, he added.
The minister also commented on the stock market situation in Pakistan and said that out of 530 companies, only 70 companies have exports of more than $10,000.
Ahsan Iqbal encouraged companies to increase exports and effectively use their potential in the global market, saying that “every enterprise in Pakistan should set an export target of more than $10,000.”
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He expressed satisfaction over the recent wave of investment under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), saying SIFC is providing an enabling environment for promoting large investments and business opportunities.
The Federal Minister expressed hope that ongoing investment and economic reforms will lead Pakistan towards sustainable development.
