Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s strong endorsement of China’s Global Development Initiative (GDI) on Saturday, emphasizing the need for enhanced multilateral collaboration to accelerate development and confront the pressing challenges faced by developing nations.
These remarks were delivered during a high-level meeting on the GDI convened by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng. PM Shehbaz underscored several critical obstacles impeding progress toward the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, including escalating climate disasters, significant gaps in development financing, soaring food and fuel prices, and intensifying geopolitical tensions.
Highlighting the widening financial shortfalls and the increasing severity of climate-related calamities, he warned that these factors, combined with rising costs of essential commodities and renewed geopolitical strains, threaten to undo decades of development achievements in poorer countries. He stressed that addressing these issues requires robust multilateral cooperation, describing China’s GDI as a timely and valuable initiative.
PM Shehbaz noted that the GDI has already generated tangible benefits across the developing world through partnerships grounded in mutual advantage. He affirmed Pakistan’s full support for the initiative, viewing it as a crucial platform for solidarity, South-South cooperation, and delivering concrete outcomes for developing nations.
He further explained that the goals of the GDI align closely with Pakistan’s own national economic transformation agenda. Additionally, he highlighted Islamabad’s ongoing economic collaboration with Beijing through the Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is now entering its second phase.
As the 2030 target date approaches, Pakistan is ready to deepen cooperation with partners under the GDI framework by expanding successful projects and exploring new avenues for collaboration, PM Shehbaz stated.
In a significant development, he also expressed support for China’s Global Governance Initiative, which aims to establish a more representative global governance system that better addresses the priorities of developing countries. He called for strengthening the United Nations’ development role under Secretary-General António Guterres’ UN80 initiative, emphasizing the need for enhanced capacity to achieve measurable results on the ground.
“Pakistan has been and will continue to be a steadfast supporter of these vital initiatives,” PM Shehbaz affirmed. He concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to working closely with China and other members of the Group of Friends to promote the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity.
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