Sustainable development is a pre requisite for SDGs, says FM Qureshi

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has said massive investment in sustainable infrastructure, including energy, transportation, agriculture, and manufacturing is indispensable to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the climate objectives.

Virtually addressing 75th Anniversary of the Economic and Social Council today (Friday), he said Pakistan’s infrastructure development strategy is designed to take advantage of our large pool of young people and our geo-economic location at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, West Asia and China.

The Minister said Pakistan is launching its first ever SDG Investor Map to leverage private sector investments for sustainable development. The Map will identify Investment Opportunity Areas and business models that could advance private investment for the achievement of SDGs in Pakistan.

He said first phase China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is nearly complete and the second phase envisages the creation of several Special Economic Zones, which are open to participation of third countries. He said Pakistan greatly appreciates the intention of several fraternal and friendly countries, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey and others, to invest in Pakistan’s economy.

Talking about situation in Afghanistan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan has a vital interest in a peaceful, stable, united and prosperous Afghanistan. He said it would enable the two countries to serve as a bridge connecting Central Asia and the Arabian Sea and beyond. He said there are numerous shovel-ready projects awaiting peace in Afghanistan, such as the TAPI gas pipeline from Turkmenistan, the CASA-1000 electricity grid from Tajikistan and the railway connecting Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The Pakistan Foreign Minister said that a just solution is essential for the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. He said positive steps and reversing the cause of current tensions can open the way for dialogue and trade.