UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has launched its first-ever Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Investor Map 2023 at the United Nations SDG Investment Fair 2023 held in New York on Wednesday. The map identifies investable solutions to the country’s pressing needs.
During the launch, Pakistan unveiled a diversified portfolio of climate-resilient investments worth $2.84 billion, which includes adapting to climate change, low-cost housing construction, and microfinance, the financial services provided to low-income individuals excluded from traditional banking.
In attendance were senior officials from the Government of Pakistan, UNDP, UNDESA, leading representatives from the international private sector, financial institutions, multilateral and bilateral entities, networks of banks, investors, development agencies, and advisory partners.
Launching the SDG Investor Map, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, Ambassador Munir Akram said, “This map highlights bankable investment opportunities for Pakistan which can lead to a reduced trade deficit, transitions to alternate energy, a robust infrastructure, and enhanced food security in the country.”
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Finance, Tariq Bajwa also spoke during the event, saying, “As Pakistan recovers from the devastating impact of the 2022 floods, the government is prioritising efforts to mobilise financing for development to not only support long-term recovery and reconstruction efforts but also to achieve inclusive economic growth aligned with SDGs.”
Bajwa also reaffirmed the government of Pakistan’s intent to begin working on a country Integrated National Financing Framework in continued partnership with the UNDP.
Pakistan is one of the top ten climate-vulnerable countries in the world, and the adaptation to the SDGs is immense, estimated to cost between $7-14 billion per annum, said the envoy. This is due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the catastrophic floods of 2022, and the ongoing food, fuel, and financial crisis.
