Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to our colleagues and friends at the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPDS) in Islamabad, Pakistan for organising this timely commemorative event to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. I am very pleased to join you today.
In the aftermath of the Second World War, the founding of the United Nations brought hope and opportunity for billions of people around the world. Through our collective efforts, we have made enormous strides to enjoy peace, socio-economic development, and dignity for all. The development success story of Asia and the Pacific is a great testament of this significant achievement.
However, with the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, societies are facing unprecedented human suffering and economic disrupting in Asia and the Pacific. Pakistan has not been spared from this unfolding socio-economic crisis.
Ladies and gentlemen.
Since the adoption of the United Nations the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, I must recognise a critical role played by the Government of Pakistan and all stakeholders here in mainstreaming sustainability at all levels that supported inclusive growth, provided socio-economic opportunities to citizens and improved climate change resilience. These people-centred policy efforts and institutional capacities are rightly paying rich dividends in mitigating the impacts of COVID-19 crisis in Pakistan and many other countries in our region.
Today, I take this auspicious occasion of the UN’s 75th anniversary, to applaud the role of the Government of Pakistan and stakeholders, including think tanks such as IPDS, in steering Pakistan’s sustainable development agenda that is enabling a just and inclusive societies for its citizens.
Ladies and gentlemen.
At the regional level, the United Nations United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is closely working with member States and multi-stakeholders to assist policymakers in addressing immediate socio-economic impacts and plan a sustainable pathway out of the crisis.
Going forward, the governments of Asia and the Pacific can drive an effective recovery plans through focusing on thematic areas – protecting people, financing economic recovery, forging resilient supply chain and connectivity and ensuring a green recovery.
ESCAP, including the UN family in Pakistan stands ready to strengthen our cooperation and coordination in responding to COVID-19 pandemic. We need to work with all stakeholders to recover better through a robust crisis response system and to shape our future together.
I look forward to our engagement in supporting building back better and advancing Sustainable Development Goals in Pakistan and beyond.
Thank you very much for your attention.
