ISLAMABAD, Oct 27 (APP):The 29th Sustainable Development Conference (SDC), organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), will bring together more than 300 speakers from around 20 countries to discuss economic, environmental and social challenges and explore policy solutions for sustainable development.
The four-day conference, scheduled to begin on November 2 at Allama Iqbal Open University, will be held under the theme “In the Age of Disruption: Development in Transition,” SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri said during a media briefing on Tuesday.
He said the conference would examine how geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts, climate change, energy insecurity and economic pressures were affecting development priorities. With the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals approaching, discussions would also explore the future of the global development agenda beyond 2030.
The inaugural session will feature Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik and Bangladesh’s Adviser to the Prime Minister on Planning and Finance, Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir. Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, will inaugurate the accompanying 4th Sustainable Investment Expo.
The programme will cover agriculture, food security, water disputes, economic reforms, energy security and artificial intelligence, including its implications for employment, media and higher education. Reports on the environment, climate, energy, circular economy and sustainable development will also be launched.
Dr Sajid Amin Javed, Deputy Executive Director Research at SDPI, said the convergence of global crises required countries to rethink conventional development models and adopt innovative approaches to policymaking.
He said Pakistan could use the current energy crisis as an opportunity to shift towards affordable and sustainable energy sources. He also stressed the need to integrate climate change into economic policymaking and prepare for emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, to remain competitive and generate employment.
Emphasising inclusive development, he said policy design and implementation should reduce social and economic disparities, while public welfare must remain central to economic stabilisation and other government measures.
The conference will also feature the fourth Sustainable Investment Expo, showcasing sustainability initiatives by government departments, private businesses, startups and academic institutions.
Zainab Naeem, Head of the Ecological Sustainability and Circular Economy Unit, said exhibits would include projects involving virtual reality and robotics, alongside initiatives by the Punjab Environment Protection Department and Rescue 1122.
The expo will provide free space to local food vendors and present sustainability awards for selected case studies assessed under the environmental, social and economic dimensions of the triple bottom line approach. Training and capacity-building activities will also be organised during the event.
Uzma Tariq Haroon, Director of the Sustainable Development Conference Unit, said the programme would include more than 50 panels and thematic sessions, with participation extending beyond South Asia to experts from Latin America, Europe, the United States and the United Kingdom.
She said plenary sessions would take place on the opening day, followed by parallel discussions and fireside chats. The conference would also provide opportunities for interaction between policymakers, researchers and international participants.
Deputy Executive Director Policy SDPI Dr Shafqat Munir said a dedicated media room would provide journalists with English and Urdu press releases, photographs and television tickers. The organisers would also facilitate interviews with speakers, while livestreaming would enable remote participation.
Representatives of international development partners, including the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Asian Development Bank and United Nations, are expected to join discussions on Pakistan’s reform priorities. Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb will respond to views shared by international partners during the closing panel.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
