Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani welcomed international delegates at the inaugural dinner of the 28th Annual Sustainable Development Conference organised by SDPI in Islamabad and called for renewed collective action to meet shared global challenges. He said the conference demonstrates that nations can choose unity and cooperation even amid growing uncertainty.
Describing the conference theme Sustainable Development in the Emerging World Dis/order as an accurate mirror of present global dynamics, he warned that widening economic disparities and the digital divide risk further marginalising vulnerable communities. He highlighted Pakistan’s paradox of contributing minimally to global emissions while remaining among the most climate-vulnerable countries, and stressed that sustainable development is not a luxury but a necessity for survival.
The Acting President urged enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South, emphasising knowledge-sharing, access to technology, and coordinated regional strategies. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to achieving the SDGs by 2030 and said Parliament is aligning national legislation and development priorities with those goals. He informed delegates that Pakistan will host a two-day Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference later this month focusing on peace, security, and development.
Drawing on his diplomatic experience, he pointed to the value of parliamentary diplomacy working alongside traditional state diplomacy to strengthen democratic voices and build sustainable consensus. He said such approaches will enhance representation of the people and enable more effective international action on common threats.
The Acting President said this forum must play a vital role in confronting terrorism, humanitarian crises, climate resilience, and transnational crimes, and underscored that pursuing sustainable development remains a moral and political obligation to future generations. He thanked guests for their participation, pledged Pakistan’s continued leadership in this collective effort, and commended SDPI for its hospitality and the successful organisation of the conference.
