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ISLAMABAD, Nov 04 (APP):Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof Ahsan Iqbal has said that Pakistan must harness innovation, inclusivity and integrity to navigate rising global instability and shape a new development world order.
He was speaking at the inaugural plenary of the 4-day 28th Sustainable Development Conference, organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute in collaboration with KfW, the Embassy of Denmark, and Allama Iqbal Open University here on Tuesday.
Alongside this mega event, the 16th South Asia Economic Summit (SAES), 3rd Sustainability Investment Expo (SIE), and 9th South and South-West Asia Subregional Forum on Sustainable Development (UNESCAP) were also part of the conference.
The minister underscored that Pakistan’s contribution to global carbon emissions is negligible, yet the country remains severely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. He said climate shocks continue to erode economic stability and development gains.
Speaking on the occasion, Board of Investment Chairman Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh stressed that value-addition and export-led growth remain the only sustainable path to lift millions out of poverty and push Pakistan towards its target of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2035.
The minister said that nations attracting robust foreign direct investment (FDI) and strengthening export-driven sectors had successfully achieved sustainable growth and overcome poverty traps.
SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri emphasized that sustainability is no longer a choice but an imperative for Pakistan’s long-term survival regarding socio-economic stability. He called for deeper collaboration among all stakeholders to build a climate-resilient and economically secure future.
Dr Suleri said that the private sector is a critical part of the solution, urging businesses to invest in green technologies, resilient supply chains and low-carbon innovations. “The government alone cannot build climate resilience. The private sector brings innovation, financing capacity and execution strength,” he added.
He called for strengthened cooperation among government agencies, private enterprises, academia, civil society and global partners to advance climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, water security and resilient urban development.
Highlighting Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate-induced disasters, including floods, heatwaves and droughts, he said accelerating climate finance and technology partnerships was vital to safeguard communities and create green economic opportunities.
Peter Emil Nielsen, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Denmark, said the climate crisis is now a lived reality and demands urgent, coordinated action.
Nielsen said the expo provides a critical platform that brings together investors, innovators, policymakers and youth to shape a climate-smart future. “This Expo embodies opportunity. It brings together green hearts and green minds, big and small, to showcase solutions, exchange ideas, and most importantly, build partnerships,” he remarked.
Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy, Arno Kirchhof, said Pakistan must move beyond simply fighting climate change and instead embrace a comprehensive shift toward sustainable, environment-friendly economic growth. Kirchhof said that while climate action remains critical, long-term prosperity depends on embedding sustainability at the core of economic and policy decisions.
He highlighted Germany’s role as Pakistan’s second-largest development partner after USAID and said Berlin remains committed to supporting Pakistan’s clean energy transition and resilience-building initiatives. “Germany is providing major support in renewable energy and climate-resilient development,” he said.
Dr Kamran Jahangir of the National Book Foundation said that climate change is no longer an environmental challenge but a matter of national survival, urging Pakistan to adopt climate-smart governance and invest in knowledge-driven solutions.
Later, Sustainability Awards were awarded in the given categories:
1. Agri-Tech SK Food Security 2. Water Conservation & Stewardship 3. Circular Economy & Production Innovation 4. Renewable Energy & Low-Carbon Transitions 5. Smart Mobility & Green Infrastructure 6. ESG Integration, Transparency & Green Finance 7. Carbon Markets & Climate Finance 8. Gender Equity & Social Impact 9. Sustainability Education & Community-Led Adaptation 10. Disaster Resilience & Climate Risk Management