November 26, 2020: Pakistan hosted the Inaugural Meeting of SAARC Planning Ministers today on the theme: 'Shaping the SAARC Vision 2030' in virtual mode.
All Member States and the SAARC Secretary-General, Esala Ruwan Weerakoon participated in the Meeting with Planning Minister Asad Umar in the chair.
The Meeting discussed national SDGs approaches, the impact of COVID-19 on economic growth in the South Asian region, and a strategy for collective action for development financing in the wake of a pandemic.
Addressing the meeting Planning Minister Asad Umer briefed the Member States about Pakistan's national SDGs policy and said that political ownership for SDGs is manifested at the highest level as Pakistan was one of the 1st countries to adopt SDGs as National Development Agenda through a unanimous parliamentary resolution.
He also highlighted Pakistan's success in devising a coordinated approach taken by the Government of Pakistan towards its social protection and environmental conservation initiatives such as the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami.
He noted that Pakistan continues to extend its unconditional support to strengthening coordination and cooperation to all the SAARC Member States for the greater benefits of vulnerable groups within the region.
He expressed hope that this initiative by Pakistan, and the Meeting Report adopted by all Member States with consensus, will go a long way in devising a coordinated strategy towards achieving SDGs in the region, especially in the post-COVID environment.
The SAARC Planning Ministers and Secretaries virtual meetings were a reaffirmation of Pakistan's commitment to the SAARC process and its efforts to forge closer cooperation among Member State
Radio Pakistan
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