ISLAMABAD: The United Nations (UN), in collaboration with the district administration, organized the seventh in a series of 12 dialogues focused on sustainable development in Mansehra of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
These dialogues involve over 1,000 local leaders residing in 12 major cities across six provinces and territories, where they discuss the development challenges faced by their districts and how these challenges hinder economic and social progress.
Julien Harneis, UN Resident Coordinator in Pakistan, remarked that these dialogues bring the United Nations closer to the people and the local governments that they serve. “We are actively listening to their ideas and concerns. They will collaborate with us to accelerate progress in addressing inequalities and reducing poverty. We will convey their suggestions to the Federal Government as we focus on returning to sustainable development,” said a UNIC press release.
In Mansehra, the discussions revolved around four topics chosen by the participants in advance: education, governance, climate change, and digital transformation. Approximately 100 local leaders, including women, men, and youth, participated alongside senior Mansehra officials, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, and other UN personnel.
UN Dialogues Engage Local Leaders
The 12 dialogues engage local leaders in discussions on various development issues, including access to basic social services, gender equality, climate change, sustainable and inclusive economic growth, decent work, and other fundamental social services. These topics are crucial for Pakistan’s progress toward achieving the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Six SDG dialogues have already taken place in Bahawalpur, Multan, and Rawalpindi in Punjab, as well as in Hyderabad and Sukkur in Sindh, and Mardan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
These dialogues will contribute to the discussions leading up to the global SDG Summit, organized by the UN to accelerate progress toward the SDGs, which marks the midpoint of the 2030 deadline. The Government of Pakistan will participate in this event in New York on September 18 and 19, 2023.
The SDGs, also known as Global Goals, comprise 17 objectives aimed at promoting peace and prosperity worldwide. They serve as a call to action for all nations to collaborate in ending poverty, improving health and education, reducing inequality, fostering economic growth, and addressing climate change.
