Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar noted that China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are vital vehicles for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He was participating in a High-Level Meeting on Global Development Initiative (GDI) Cooperation Outcomes held on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, according to a report carried by Gwadar Pro on Thursday. The GDI was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 20, 2022. In his remarks, the Prime Minister highlighted that progress towards achieving the SDGs has suffered a serious setback due to the poly crises of COVID, conflict and climate change. He expressed Pakistan’s support for the GDI and commended the milestones achieved in its implementation, the most recent being the successful launch of the Inter-Agency Task Force on GDI. 

And he highlighted the need for action in 5 key areas: food production, infrastructure investment, industrialization, resilient healthcare systems and the bridging the digital divide. The Prime Minister further highlighted the necessity of adequate and appropriate finance at all levels of the development process and welcomed President Xi’s announcement of the setting up another fund of USD 10 billion dedicated to the implementation of the GDI. In conclusion, the Prime Minister stated that Pakistan looks forward to enhancing its cooperation with China and other members of the Group of Friends of GDI to realize their collective aspiration for implementation of the SDGs. The event also heard opening remarks by Mr. Han Zheng, Vice President of China, Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the General Assembly, and other high-level dignitaries, as well as a video briefing and presentation on GDI cooperation.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China