DOHA: Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday that Pakistan was committed to carrying out the Doha Plan of Action, seeing it as a chance to accelerate sustained prosperity in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
The prime minister spoke at the fifth Least Developed Countries Conference (LDC5) in Doha, saying that collaborations between LDCS and wealthier countries, as well as the private sector and civil society, were essential for promoting world prosperity.
PM Pakistan stressed exploring the opportunity to promote sustainable development in the regions where international help was most needed. He urged the international community to collaborate in tapping these countries’ full potential, helping them progress toward prosperity.
The PM said the LDCs needed significant investments in education, health, and social protection systems, adding that vast resources were also needed to fully implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030.
The PM highlighted that many LDCs were already at risk of debt distress. He said, “Left unchecked, economic distress and vaccine inequity will make recoveries more painful and more prolonged than required.
Pakistan was committed to effective and safe vaccines and allocating resources for LDCs. He pointed out that it was a great concern that six LDCs had been classified as under extreme burden and added that the impoverished nations required a social protection system.
PM for addressing unique needs of LDCs
Sharif called for reforming unequal financial architecture to address the unique needs of LDCs. He proposed a global technology system combined with SDGs to provide easy access to LDCs to develop and bridge their digital divide to help them contribute to a knowledge-based economy.
The PM appreciated the Doha Programme of Action 2031, particularly its concrete measures, including the food stock system, investment support centre, and online universities.
He assured that Pakistan would actively support the implementation of the Doha Programme of Action within the framework of south-centric cooperation.
After holding the FIFA event, he congratulated the Emir of Qatar for the ideal arrangement for the conference. He added that Qatar had further bolstered its standing in the comity of nation. — APP
