ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday reiterated his call for debt relief and prioritising vaccine equity for Covid-hit developing countries for their economic recovery.
The prime minister was virtually addressing the World Leaders Summit Dialogue which was organised on the occasion of the 15th Quadrennial Meeting of UNCTAD. He emphasised the climate finance and return of stolen wealth to developing countries as part of global economic recovery from the devastating effects of the pandemic.
Hosted by Barbados, the World Leaders Summit Dialogue was organised by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development during its ongoing 15th Quadrennial Meeting.
Expressing concern over vaccine inequity, PM Khan called for a more equitable distribution. Recalling his campaign for debt relief, he advocated for the initiative until the end of the pandemic.
Demands contribution by rich countries to climate finance in view of the vulnerability and existential challenges faced by low-income countries
The prime minister reaffirmed the urgent need for mobilisation of and contribution by richer countries to climate finance in view of the vulnerability and existential challenges faced by Small Island Developing Countries (SIDS) and other developing countries, including Pakistan.
Reiterating his deep concern over the huge challenge of illicit flow of money amounting to $1 trillion annually from developing countries to richer capitals and tax-havens, the prime minister underscored the imperative of halting these outflows.
He once again called for implementation of UN Secretary General’s FACTI Panels’ recommendations, enabling developing countries to more meaningfully alleviate poverty and for human development.
The prime minister was invited to the World Leaders Dialogue along with presidents of Kenya and Guyana, the UNCTAD secretary general and heads of other UN agencies, under the theme of ‘Building a more prosperous development path: Matching the scale of the moment’.
Being held from October 4 to 7, the Quadrennial Conference is taking place against the backdrop of unprecedented economic, public health and social effects, induced and exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2021
