NEW YORK: Like other developing countries his country is also facing numerous challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal by 2030.
This was stated by Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations Ambassador Usman Jadoon while taking part in the general debate of the high level political forum at the UN headquarters, says a press release.
The ambassador said that at the mid-point of achieving the SDGs, only 17pc of the SDG targets were on track to be achieved.
“Pakistan has made progress in SDG implementation. However, like other developing countries, Pakistan also faces numerous challenges.”
He said Pakistan’s efforts to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic were hampered by the triple crises of food, fuel and finance.
The devastating floods of 2022, affecting 33 million people and resulting in damage of over 30 billion US dollars, further compounded these difficulties.
“Yet, Pakistan remains committed to accelerate our national efforts to achieve the SDGs. We have embedded the 2030 Agenda into our national development policies and plans.”
In line with the principle of reaching the furthest behind first, we are implementing a Special Development Scheme for the uplift of the 20 poorest districts in Pakistan.
On the climate change front, Pakistan is implementing the Living Indus Initiative, a menu of 25 projects aimed at restoring the ecological health of the Indus River Basin. Pakistan is committed to produce 60pc of its energy from renewable sources by 2030.
“We have also undertaken significant steps in enhancing our early warning capacity, including by updating our National Flood Protection Plan.”
However, it is evident that national efforts alone will not be enough.
The challenges developing countries face in realisingthe SDGs can only be addressed with the provision of the required means of implementation.
Today, the SDG Financing Gap stands at over four trillion dollars. The adaptation needs of developing countries is estimated to be between 215-387 billion dollars annually up until 2030.
It is evident that we must unlock much greater financing and fiscal space for developing countries.
ODA Commitments must be scaled up and fulfilled.We must reform the international financial architecture in order to make it more equitable and responsive to the needs of developing countries
“And we must bridge the North-South digital divide to ensure that developing countries have equitable access to new and emerging technologies.”
The SDGs are our blueprint for a prosperous, peaceful and sustainable future for all. Therefore, as we look ahead to the “Summit of the Future”, our focus must remain on agreeing on the concrete actions required to realize the SDGs by 2030.
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