ISLAMABAD:The fourth in a series of 12 dialogues on sustainable development was held in Sukkur, Sindh, by the United Nations and the district administration on Wednesday.
In total, more than 1,000 local leaders living in 12 major cities will discuss the development challenges which they face, and how they impede economic and social progress in their districts. The dialogues will be held in the different languages spoken across Pakistan in the coming weeks, said a press release issued here.
“These dialogues bring the United Nations closer to the people and the local governments that we serve, said Julien Harneis, UN Resident Coordinator in Pakistan. “We are actively listening to their concerns and their ideas. They will work together, and with us, on accelerating progress to bridge inequalities and reduce poverty. We will share their suggestions with the federal Government as we focus on returning to sustainable development.”
In Sukkur, the discussions focused on four topics chosen by the participants ahead of the event: women’s economic empowerment; climate change; access to health services; and food security.
Nearly 100 local leaders — women and men, including youth — participated together with senior Sukkur officials, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, and other UN staff.
The 12 dialogues are engaging local leaders around development issues such as access to basic social services; gender equality and women’s empowerment; climate change; sustainable, inclusive economic growth and decent work; and governance. All are key to Pakistan’s progress towards the achievement of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Three SDG dialogues have already taken place in Bahawalpur and Multan, Punjab, and in Hyderabad, Sindh.
The dialogues will help inform discussions ahead of the global SDG Summit which the UN is organizing to accelerate progress towards the SDGs, halfway of the 2030 deadline. The Government of Pakistan will participate in the event in New York on September 18, 19.
The SDGs, also known as Global Goals, are 17 objectives designed to help bring about peace and prosperity for people all over the world. They are an urgent call for action by all countries to work together towards ending poverty while improving health and education, reducing inequality, spurring economic growth and tackling climate change.