Sustainable development goals have to take centre stage for Pakistan at Davos

It is imperative that Pakistan’s policy formulation is done in tandem with the sustainable development goals

As world leaders prepare to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, it seems that the issue of building a sustainable future will take centre stage at the summit. This year’s theme for the WEF is “Stakeholders for a cohesive and sustainable world”, hence emphasising the urgency with which leaders across the globe need to address one of the most pressing issues the planet is currently facing. After the bush fires in Australia, volcanic eruptions in the Philippines, floods in Jakarta, mass burning of the Amazon rain-forest, famine in Zambia, water scarcity in Mexico and dangerous weather patterns in North America; leaders at the summit are expected to increase their focus on the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to meet with American President Donald Trump and various other leaders on the sidelines during the summit to discuss a variety of economic, regional and international issues. However, it is imperative that Pakistan’s policy formulation is done in tandem with the SDGs. Paksitan is the fifth most vulnerable nation to climate change today and is yet to officially announce a climate change policy. While Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) ‘Billion Tree Tsunami’ campaign has been well received around the world, a lot more needs to be done if we are to tackle the growing climate crisis.

Pakistan currently stands to be one of the most vulnerable nations on the climate change index, exposed to earthquakes, flash floods, avalanches and landslides, it is facing a severe climate emergency which continues to become more severe this year. Moreover, the world population survey analysis 2005-2015 indicates that Pakistan is one of six nations where the projected population growth will exceed 300 million by the year 2050. Hence, it is imperative that the SDGs are on top of the priority list for the Pakistani delegation attending the WEF.

Despite not being able to meet the millennium development goals of 2015, Pakistan must try and achieve the targets set by the SDGs on issues like women empowerment, reproductive rights, public education, food production and air pollution. With many in Pakistan having a limited access to primary healthcare, the country needs to desperately engage in private sector partnerships. Hence, the WEF could become a key connecting point for intra-country alliances and foreign direct investment in order to facilitate better healthcare services in Pakistan. The provision of such facilities and adequate human capital planning through climate justice should be the only pathway towards economic success for Pakistan.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) 2011 report on population dynamics in less economically developed countries (LEDs), investment in capital and infrastructure must be matched with investment in education, health and employment generation, in order to yield high gross domestic product (GDP) returns. According to the report,

“Fulfilling the unmet need for modern family planning in developing countries would cost $3.6 billion annually, but the latest data available in 2011 showed that this investment would actually lower the cost of maternal and newborn health services by $5.1 billion, resulting in a net total savings of $1.5 billion.”

Yet, surprisingly, the recent budget allocation by the government with regards to the healthcare sector does not show any particular adherence to these SDG targets.

Pakistan stands a better chance of meeting its sustainability goals if our leaders choose to pursue a concrete agenda at the WEF built around the SDGs. The recent increase in the price of wheat and other commodities only serves as a harbinger of what is to come if Pakistan is unable to ensure that economic progress in the country comes alongside sustainability. Given the rising population, optimum food production is vital, alongside the need to secure greater access to clean water, not just for domestic use but also to drive Pakistan’s agro-based economy. Evidently, Pakistan is currently lagging behind on its commitment to several SDGs and it is imperative that our leaders use the WEF to devise effective mechanisms which ensure sustainable growth for Pakistan well beyond 2020.