ISLAMABAD: Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Monday said that exchanging ideas, best practices, and forging collaborative strategies were essential for achieving gender empowerment and sustainable development.

“Parliamentarians must recognise that gender equality and environmental sustainability are deeply intertwined goals; the success of one depends on the other. Pakistan is steadfast in its commitment to achieving SDGs,” he said.

He expressed these views while delivering a keynote address to the participants of the Regional Meeting on Gender Empowerment and Green Economy, in the Context of ICPD30, organised by Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Climate Change MNA Romina Khursheed Alam.

He also noted: “The Parliament has played a crucial role in advancing gender equality, reproductive health, and sustainable development. Through progressive laws and dedicated parliamentary forums, such as the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus and the Parliamentary Task Force on SDGs implementing sustainable development agenda has become national priority.”

Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that Pakistan also played an active role in international climate negotiations and in advocating for the rights and needs of vulnerable communities.

He also emphasised that a green economy was not just an environmental imperative; it was a pathway to social justice and economic resilience.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2024