Defence Minister Khawaja Asif emphasized that sustainable development cannot be achieved while “tragedies like Gaza are perpetuated by the developed world.”
His remarks, addressing the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where over 41,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, were made during his speech at the United Nations ‘Summit of the Future’ in New York. The summit is part of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). Asif is part of the Pakistani delegation accompanying Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
In his speech, Asif highlighted the importance of the ‘Pact for the Future,’ describing it as a symbol of global determination to tackle the security and development challenges facing present and future generations. He pointed out that for over 100 developing nations, the pact represents an opportunity to revitalize development and address imbalances in the international financial and economic systems.
He stressed that to make a real impact, commitments made under the pact must be translated into concrete actions. Asif called for fulfilling long-standing commitments to Official Development Assistance (ODA) nations and implementing the Secretary-General’s SDG Stimulus proposal to help bridge the $4 trillion financing gap for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He also proposed reallocating 50% of unused Sustainable Development Reports (SDRs) from 2021.
وزیر دفاع پاکستان خواجہ محمد آصف کا اقوام متحدہ کے “مستقبل کے سربراہی اجلاس” سے خطاب۔
خطاب کے آغاز میں غزہ میں جاری مظالم اور فلسطین کی آزادی کی جانب اقوام عالم کی توجہ مبذول کرائی۔ “دنیا میں کوئی بھی ترقی اس وقت ممکن نہیں جب تک غزہ میں جاری مظالم ترقی یافتہ ممالک کی جانب سے… pic.twitter.com/zMOTAglMRn
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) September 23, 2024
To further close the SDG financing gap, Asif advocated for increased lending by multilateral development banks, lowering borrowing costs for developing nations, and reforming the sovereign debt structure to ensure fairness. He also called for more equitable representation of developing nations in global financial institutions and the creation of an international tax system that is fair for all. Additionally, he proposed reforming the World Trade Organization to enhance export opportunities for developing countries while avoiding new environmental barriers.
Asif also underscored the need to address the digital divide to ensure a fair future. He welcomed the outcomes of the Global Digital Compact, emphasizing the need to bridge the gap between the Global North and South and to prevent fragmentation in the digital sphere. He also highlighted the importance of equitable data governance and managing the power of Artificial Intelligence responsibly.
Meanwhile, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stressed that lasting world peace is impossible without resolving the issues of Palestine and Kashmir. Speaking to the media outside the UN headquarters, Tarar called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and accountability for Israel, accusing it of war crimes. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to raising the issues of Palestine and Kashmir at international forums, noting that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would address these topics during his UN engagements.
وفاقی وزیر اطلاعات عطاء اللہ تارڑ کی نیویارک میں میڈیا ٹاک@TararAttaullah #UNGA79 pic.twitter.com/dvRf4FfBBj
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) September 24, 2024
Tarar also discussed Pakistan’s foreign relations, mentioning that the country’s ties with its allies in both the East and West had been strained in recent years but have since been restored. He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz’s visit to the US would include meetings with doctors, bankers, and representatives from various sectors.
