Lawmakers form caucus to achieve SDGs

Vow to lead process for generating national response for achieving development goals

ISLAMABAD: Lawmakers representing major political parties on Friday decided to constitute a 'National Caucus on Financing Sustainable Development' for making joint efforts to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs) by taking private sector on board.

The two-day meeting of the first national legislator's conclave – including members of the National Assembly, the Senate and provincial assemblies – concluded on Friday.

The conclave was organised by the Institute of Social and Policy Sciences (I-SAPS) and Deutsche Gesellschaft fur lnternationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ).

Speaking on the occasion, legislators urged for a national response for achieving the SDGs and recognising the role of private sector. They said formation of the caucus could be a significant step towards achieving the SDGs and national development agenda in Pakistan.

They vowed to lead the process for generating national response for achieving SDGs.

The National Caucus convener Mohsin Leghari – who is also Punjab irrigation minister – said the country has no defined yardstick to measure the parametres affecting core issues our economy is trapped in.

“In this scenario, the conclave informed all the participants of the key challenges faced in financing sustainable development. It is high time to recognise the key role of private sector in supporting and assisting governments in meeting the national development targets," he said.

MNA Naveed Qamar stressed the need for a legal and policy framework for engaging private sector proactively for supporting governments. Kanwal Shauzab, MoPDR Parliamentary Secretary, was nominated as the national convener for the National Caucus.

She said formation of this caucus is a significant move and is reflective of the resolve of legislators to drive the national development process. She vowed that the National Caucus on Financing Sustainable

Development will enable formation of policies, rules and regulations necessary for achieving SDGs.

Affirming the significance of private sector participation in the SDGs, she said the caucus will be a vehicle to create an enabling environment and facilitating private sector mainstream with governments' SDGs agenda.

I-SAPS research fellow Ahmad Ali highlighted the role of private sector and said that 90 per cent jobs, 60 per cent of GDP and 80 per cent capital flows were driven through private sector. Moreover, corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributes Rs7.66 billion to national development.

According to I-SAPS recent study, 77 per cent of the private sector organisations and corporate entities are willing to collaborate with government. Twenty three (23) per cent of these organisations are even willing to make financial contributions.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP