Islamabad (Agencies): The SDGs Secretariat of the National Assembly of Pakistan, in collaboration with the Mustehkam Parliamaan and the ‘Participatory Local Governance Programme’ implemented by GIZ Pakistan and funded by the European Union, is organizing a National Meet on Sustainable Development Goals 2023.
The event, titled “From Global Goals to Local Impact: Empowering Local Governments for SDG Success,” aims to explore the pivotal role and potential of local and regional governments in fulfilling the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The one-day event, to be held at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, will run from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Chief Guest at the inaugural will be the Honorable Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, and Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, Convener of the SDGs Task force / Special Assistant to PM. The Honorable Federal Minister for Law and Justice, Mr. Azam Nazeer Tarar, will be the chief guest at the closing ceremony.
With a diverse range of participants including Parliamentarians, Government representatives, research institutions, CSOs, youth organizations, and practitioners interested in local governance policy, the event aims to deliberate on empowering Article 140A of the constitution, which focuses on the devolution of power and decentralization of governance in Pakistan. An outcome document will be produced for the Government to amend Article 140A and regularize and empower the local government.
The forum will also highlight the Role of NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority) in Mainstreaming Local Service Delivery, exploring its collaborative partnership potential with local government departments.
One of the key features of the National Meet on SDGs will be parallel breakout sessions involving representatives from all provinces and legislatures. These sessions will provide a platform for in-depth discussions and strategy development around empowering local bodies to achieve global goals while addressing province-specific themes.
The event is open to media coverage, providing an opportunity to interview parliamentarians and local government representatives and gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities for improving engagement of National, Provincial, and Local Parliaments and promoting empowered and inclusive local governments in Pakistan.
The National Meet on Sustainable Development Goals 2023 is a testament to the SDGs Secretariat’s commitment to empowerment, development, and inclusivity efforts as it strives to ensure that no one and no region is left behind in the pursuit of sustainable development goals in Pakistan.