In a landmark effort to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Government of Pakistan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) hosted the Pakistan SDGs Policy Dialogue for Action: Accelerating Reform, Investments, and Economic Transformation Toward Agenda 2030 in Islamabad. Aligned with the Prime Minister’s National Economic Transformation Plan, the Uraan Pakistan Program, and Pakistan’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), this event marked a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s journey toward sustainable development. This article explores the dialogue’s key outcomes, Pakistan’s SDG challenges, and the roadmap to achieving Agenda 2030.
A Platform for Collaboration and Action
Held under the SDGs Plus Program 2024-2030, the dialogue brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including:
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National and provincial parliamentarians
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Senior government officials
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UN agencies
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Development partners
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International Monetary Fund (IMF) representatives
The event focused on critical areas such as data governance, climate financing, institutional coordination, and parliamentary oversight, aiming to bridge gaps in Pakistan’s SDG performance and mobilize resources for transformative change.
UNDP’s Call for an SDG Push
Dr. Samuel Rizk, UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative, opened the dialogue by highlighting Pakistan’s multifaceted challenges, including disparities in maternal mortality, education access, and clean water. According to the UNDP Integrated SDG Insights Report 2023, Pakistan is on track to meet only 35 of 169 SDG targets. Dr. Rizk emphasized the need for a robust SDG Push, requiring:
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High-intensity economic reforms
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An additional 16.1% of GDP in investments
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Strengthened data governance and development financing
“This dialogue will recalibrate Pakistan’s SDG priorities, identifying areas for investment and finance,” Dr. Rizk stated, underscoring the importance of actionable outcomes.
Pakistan’s SDG Challenges and Progress
Dr. Musadik Malik, Minister of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, addressed the stark disparities facing Pakistanis, from out-of-school children to limited access to clean drinking water. “We must deliver tangible outcomes that improve lives and restore dignity,” he urged, calling for resilience and urgency in tackling these issues.
The dialogue featured federal and provincial SDG snapshots, presented by officials from the Federal Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives and provincial governments of Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab. These snapshots highlighted regional progress, such as improvements in healthcare access, alongside persistent gaps like climate vulnerability and education disparities.
Parliamentary Leadership for SDG Accountability
The second plenary session, chaired by Mr. Bilal Azhar Kiyani, Minister of State for Railways and Convener of the National Parliamentary Task Force on SDGs, focused on parliamentary leadership. Conveners of Provincial SDG Task Forces and the Women Parliamentary Caucus outlined strategies to enhance:
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Legislative oversight of SDG implementation
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Public advocacy for sustainable development
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Cross-sectoral accountability
Ms. Van Nguyen, UNDP Pakistan Deputy Resident Representative, emphasized the role of parliamentary committees in aligning budgets with SDG priorities and ensuring climate-resilient policies. “Committees can ensure laws at the center support ambitions at the periphery,” she noted, advocating for stronger governance mechanisms.
The dialogue’s second day featured concurrent sessions tailored to government officials and parliamentarians:
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Government Track: Focused on SDG data governance, sharing provincial case studies on data coordination, audits, and innovative tools to improve transparency and decision-making.
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Parliamentary Track: A high-level panel discussed the role of standing committees in overseeing SDG progress, ensuring accountability, and advocating for marginalized communities.
A session on public finance management equipped participants with tools to align budgets with SDG goals and access innovative financing. Mr. Mahir Binici, IMF Resident Representative, highlighted the IMF Resilient Support Fund (RSF), which aims to bolster Pakistan’s climate resilience and address macro-structural challenges like balance of payments risks and pandemic preparedness.
A Vision for Inclusive Development
The event concluded with a powerful keynote by H.E. Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to institutionalizing reforms and investment frameworks for a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future. “Let this dialogue be a renewed compact between state and society, where no one is invisible, and no dream is too ambitious,” he declared, positioning development as a collective mission.
Dr. Samuel Rizk reiterated UNDP’s support for translating dialogue into action, emphasizing partnerships to drive economic transformation and climate action.
Why the Dialogue Matters
The Pakistan SDGs Policy Dialogue underscores Pakistan’s proactive approach to achieving Agenda 2030. By addressing critical gaps in data governance, climate financing, and parliamentary oversight, the event sets the stage for:
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Economic reforms aligned with the Uraan Pakistan Program
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Enhanced climate resilience through NDCs
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Inclusive growth that prioritizes vulnerable communities
With only 35 SDG targets on track, Pakistan’s commitment to mobilizing an additional 16.1% of GDP signals a bold push toward sustainable development. The dialogue’s focus on provincial coordination and innovative financing, supported by the IMF and UN agencies, positions Pakistan as a leader in regional sustainability efforts.
