Pakistan Hosts 1st Virtual Meeting Of SAARC Planning Secretaries
Faizan Hashmi Published November 24, 2020 | 12:30 AM
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Nov, 2020 ) :Pakistan Monday hosted first day-long virtual meeting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) planning secretaries, chaired by Asad Rafi Chandna, in the Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives, Islamabad.
All eight member states attended the meeting with their virtual presence, said a press release.
The meeting extensively covered the subject of "Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030- Vision for South Asia".
The planning secretaries prepared the ground work for the "First Meeting of SAARC Planning Ministers" dedicated to the theme, "Shaping SAARC Vision 2030" to be held virtually on, November 25.
The senior officials of ministry of planning, social sector member, sustainable goals and poverty alleviation chief along with officers of section and United Nations Development Programme associated SDGs unit, international trade and finance chief, officials from Foreign Office were part of official delegation.
In the welcome remarks, the chair emphasized that the spread of COVID-19 with its impacts on health, education, jobs and income across the member states is a challenge that warrants a review of national strategies for achieving SDGs.
It was asserted that special focus has to be given particularly on reducing poverty, improving health, quality education, decent work opportunities, addressing inadequate water and sanitation and promoting cooperation.
Asad Rafi Chandna said the future lies on fostering mutual cooperation, sharing knowledge, espousing shared prosperity, promoting integration and building partnerships in the region.
The SAARC forum discussed three key agendas which included, compilation of national approaches and strategies of SAARC member states on inclusive sustainable development the agenda 2030, impact of COVID-19 on overall economic growth in SAARC member states, strategy for collaborative action for mobilizing development financing especially in the post COVID-19 scenario.
Pakistan recommended for a workable mechanism to be adopted by SAARC for transboundary challenges related to integrated water resources management and air pollution. A strategy is required to be formulated to foster the spirit of "leaving no one behind" as espoused by the Agenda 2030 for securing the rights of marginalized communities and minorities in member states.
It also recommended that each member country to adopt placement, operation and integration of real time Dashboard portal in their respective centres for monitoring, evaluation and improvement of their respective indicators.
These member country portals then ought to be interlinked with a master dashboard portal at the regional level at the SAARC secretariat for mutual concerted efforts for achieving the SDGs by 2030.
In relevance to impact of COVID-19 on overall economic growth in the SAARC member states, Pakistan urged member states for cooperation not limited to the health services only but also to cover pharmaceutical collaboration, personal protective equipment and expansion on the demands of post pandemic relief, recovery and rehabilitation.
It was also proposed that SAARC comprehensive disaster framework may be expanded in context of Pandemic on promotion of trade in the health services through liberalization particularly to draw services of doctors and paramedics.
Pakistan urged the member states to raise voice for mobilizing financing committed by the developed countries for achieving SDGs including all multilateral and bilateral agencies. The role of SAARC observer states, particularly those in region, may be enhanced to meet the development financing gaps.
The SAARC headquarters prepared the draft of overall recommendations provided by each member state in the light of discussions held. It was mutually agreed that the SAARC headquarter would share the concerted document with all the member states for the "First Meeting of SAARC Planning Ministers" to be held on November 25.
It is expected that the next SAARC Secretaries meeting would commence by April 2021.
The secretary planning, Pakistan, in his concluding remarks extended gratitude and applauded all the SAARC member states for the realization that mutual cooperation based on the principle of "leaving no one behind" is the pathway to regional prosperity.
He said evolving a common strategy is critical for achieving SDGs while countering all the emerging challenges in the SAARC region including existential threat posed by COVID-19 pandemic.
The forum largely agreed that transfer of technology from the technological advanced countries is one of the critical factors to mitigate the adverse impacts of COVID-19 along with transformation of production, consumption and supply chain mechanism within the SAARC region.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
Earthquake jolts Karachi
Sindh minister orders operation after attack on police in Ghotki
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
More Stories From Business
-
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
7 hours ago -
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
7 hours ago -
British-Pakistani firm unveils $35 million luxury apartments for overseas Pakistanis in Islamabad
7 hours ago -
European stocks lose momentum after global rally
8 hours ago -
New pulses varieties imperative to cater domestic food requirements: Dr Khalid Hasan
9 hours ago -
CEO KP-EZDMC meets CRBC officials
9 hours ago
-
Pakistan among nine poor countries that produces 90 percent cigarettes for world
9 hours ago -
Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Haji Gulbar Khan calls on Minister for Privatisation
10 hours ago -
Germany nudges up growth forecast, ailing economy at 'turning point'
10 hours ago -
Revised UAF budget recommended
10 hours ago -
IDEA, TEVTA organizes Job Fair for youth
10 hours ago -
Massive financial, administrative scam unearthed at SCCI
10 hours ago