Acting President Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani told the inaugural dinner of the 28th Annual Sustainable Development Conference in Islamabad that collective action is essential to confront shared global threats. Addressing international delegates at the SDPI event on 04 November 2025, he framed Sustainable Development as a practical necessity and a moral duty to future generations.
Reflecting on the conference theme, “Sustainable Development in the Emerging World Dis/order,” the Acting President warned that widening economic gaps and the digital divide risk deepening marginalisation across vulnerable communities. He stressed that Pakistan, while contributing minimally to global emissions, remains highly exposed to climate shocks, underscoring the urgency of climate resilience as a central component of Sustainable Development policy.
Mr. Gilani called for strengthened cooperation among Global South countries, highlighting the importance of knowledge-sharing, equitable access to technology, and coordinated regional strategies. He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to achieving the SDGs by 2030 and reported that Parliament is aligning legislation and development priorities with those goals.
Pointing to parliamentary diplomacy as a complementary tool to traditional state diplomacy, the Acting President argued that elected representatives amplify democratic voices and help build sustainable consensus on global issues. He announced that Pakistan will host a two-day Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference later this month with peace, security and development at its core.
The Acting President identified terrorism, humanitarian crises, climate resilience and transnational crime as interconnected challenges that this forum can address through joint approaches. He urged delegates to view Sustainable Development not only as an agenda for growth but as a political and ethical obligation to generations ahead.
In closing, Mr. Gilani commended SDPI for organising the conference and expressed Pakistan’s readiness to remain engaged at the forefront of collective efforts to translate the prevailing global disorder into a fairer, more sustainable international order.
