Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated on Tuesday that no sustainable growth can occur until “tragedies like Gaza persist by the developed world”.
He made these comments at the beginning of his speech at the United Nations Summit of the Future, which is a component of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), in New York. Israel’s assault on Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 41,000 Palestinians.
Asif is part of the Pakistani delegation traveling with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who touched down in New York for the meeting on Monday night.
Asif remarked during the summit that the “Pact for the Future” is a manifestation of our shared will to address the global security and development concerns that endanger both the current and future generations.
He pointed out that the agreement is a chance for more than a hundred poor nations to revitalize their growth and change the unfair global financial and economic system.
He stated that the agreement won’t be revolutionary unless the pledges made are implemented.
Asif stated that the implementation of the Secretary General’s SDG Stimulus plan and the fulfillment of long-standing obligations to Official Development Assistance (ODA) nations are necessary to close the $4 trillion finance gap for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He went on to say that 50% of the Sustainable Development Reports (SDRs) allotted for 2021 that are not used must be redistributed.
Prioritizing the need for multilateral development banks to enhance lending, he stated, “[We must] deliver a bigger, better, and more ambitious International Development Association by guaranteeing an adequate $100 billion replenishment in December this year.”
