NEW YORK – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Saturday reaffirmed Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to the Global Development Initiative (GDI), hailing it as a vital platform for fostering solidarity, enhancing South-South cooperation and delivering tangible results for the developing nations.
Addressing a high-level GDI meeting hosted by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on the sidelines of the 81st UNGA session in New York, the prime minister praised the initiative’s foresight.
He noted that three years ago, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese President Xi Jinping introduced the landmark proposal when it was uniquely needed.
In a statement broadcast on national Tv channels, the prime minister highlighted that the goals of GDI also complemented their own national economic transformation plan.
“Our cooperation with China also continues through the Belt and Road Initiative and its flagship project, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is now entering into its second phase. As we approach 2030, Pakistan stands ready to deepen cooperation with all partners under the GDI by replicating successful projects at scale and identifying new and innovative areas of cooperation,” he added.
The prime minister said three years ago, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Xi Jinping had put forward the landmark Global Development Initiative (GDI), a proposal that was far ahead of its time.
Today, he opined the wisdom and vision of President Xi Jinping behind that decision is recognized by the world, adding with only six years left to the 2030 deadline, progress on the Sustainable Development Goals remained inadequate and slow.
The prime minister underlined that the growing SDGs financing gap, frequent and severe climate disasters, rising food and fuel prices, intensified by the resurgence of geopolitical tensions, continued to reverse decades of gains in the developing countries.
Responding to these challenges, he called for strengthened multilateral cooperation, as advocated by the People’s Republic of China; terming its GDI as very timely.
The prime minister said that they could bear witness that the framework of the GDI has already translated into substantial and practical benefits across the developing world, delivered in the true spirit of ‘win-win cooperation’.
He further said the Global Development Initiative also remains essential for accelerating progress on the 2030 Agenda.
At the same time, the GDI Initiative sought a more representative architecture for global governance, responsive to the priorities of the developing countries, he said, adding that the Secretary-General’s UN 80 initiatives must strengthen the UN’s development pillar as well as its ability to deliver results on the ground.
“Pakistan has been and will remain a firm supporter of all these very important initiatives,” he reiterated.
The prime minister said that they looked for continued close cooperation with iron-brother China and fellow members of the Group of Friends as they worked together to advance the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s address to the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly has drawn praise from political analysts, diplomats and academics for highlighting Pakistan’s positions on key regional and global issues.
In a press release, Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam said the address effectively presented Pakistan’s position on key issues and voiced the sentiments of the Pakistani nation, the Islamic world and people who hold deep reverence for the Two Holy Mosques.
He particularly appreciated the Prime Minister’s presentation of the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.
Chairman of the Pakistan Ulema Council and Secretary-General of the International Tazeem-e-Haramain Sharifain Council Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi said the Prime Minister had clearly presented Pakistan’s longstanding position on Palestine, Kashmir, and security and sanctity of Saudi Arabia’s holy sites before the international community.
Former Chairman of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Peshawar Dr Shahjehan Syed described the Prime Minister’s speech as an effective approach in diplomatic communication, saying it offered practical solutions to regional and global challenges.
Former Ambassador Manzoor-ul-Haq said the address comprehensively presented Pakistan’s position on major international and regional issues.
