Khawaja Asif at UN Summit: Sustainable Development Impossible Without Addressing Gaza
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif highlighted that no sustainable development can take place while tragedies like Gaza are allowed to continue. His remarks came at the United Nations Summit of the Future in New York, part of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
At the start of his speech, Asif condemned the ongoing Israeli onslaught on Gaza, which has claimed over 41,000 Palestinian lives, underscoring that the developed world must act to prevent such crises.
وزیر دفاع پاکستان خواجہ محمد آصف کا اقوام متحدہ کے “مستقبل کے سربراہی اجلاس” سے خطاب۔
خطاب کے آغاز میں غزہ میں جاری مظالم اور فلسطین کی آزادی کی جانب اقوام عالم کی توجہ مبذول کرائی۔ “دنیا میں کوئی بھی ترقی اس وقت ممکن نہیں جب تک غزہ میں جاری مظالم ترقی یافتہ ممالک کی جانب سے… pic.twitter.com/zMOTAglMRn
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) September 23, 2024
A Call for Global Commitment to Development
Asif emphasized that the adoption of the ‘Pact for the Future’ represents the global community’s collective will to address the twin challenges of security and development. He called on the developed world to fulfill its long-standing commitments, including bridging the $4 trillion SDG financing gap and supporting Official Development Assistance (ODA) countries.
For more insights into global development challenges, visit Ground Zero’s Development News.
Bridging Financial Inequities
In his address, Khawaja Asif laid out measures to bridge the financial gap in Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), stressing the need to:
•Rechannel 50% of the unused 2021 allocation of Sustainable Development Reports (SDRs).
•Fulfill a $100 billion replenishment for the International Development Association.
•Increase lending by multilateral development banks.
He also called for lowering borrowing costs for developing countries, improving their representation in international financial institutions, and reviewing the sovereign debt architecture to make it more equitable.
For further details on global economic reforms, visit Al Jazeera’s Economic Coverage.
Reforming Global Trade and Governance
Asif stressed the importance of reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO) to ensure preferential treatment for developing countries and prevent environmental protectionism from hindering development. He also emphasized the need to bridge the digital divide, ensuring equitable data governance and controlling the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
World Peace and Accountability: Tarar’s Call
Separately, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar reiterated the necessity of resolving the Palestine and Kashmir conflicts for lasting global peace. Speaking to media outside the UN headquarters, Tarar called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the accountability of Israel for alleged war crimes and genocide.
For updates on international relations and peace efforts, visit Ground Zero’s Global Affairs.
Key Takeaways:
•Khawaja Asif urged the global community to address the ongoing Gaza crisis, linking it to the broader goal of sustainable development.
•He emphasized bridging the SDG financing gap and reforming the international financial system to support developing countries.
•Attaullah Tarar called for justice for the Palestinian people and an end to the violence in Gaza.
Stay updated on Pakistan’s participation in global forums at Ground Zero’s homepage.
