Acting President of Pakistan, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani while addressing the inaugural dinner of the 28th Annual Sustainable Development Conference organized by SDPI, welcomed the distinguished international delegates and emphasized the importance of collective efforts for sustainable development.
He stated that in a world confronted with growing challenges and uncertainty, we have chosen the path of unity over division. This conference stands as a strong testament to the fact that despite global turmoil, nations continue to hold firmly to hope and cooperation, he said.
The Acting President described this year’s conference theme, “Sustainable Development in the Emerging World Dis/order,” as a true reflection of the current global scenario. He highlighted that the issues facing the world today cannot be addressed without mutual collaboration. He noted that widening economic disparities and the digital divide could further marginalize vulnerable communities. Despite contributing minimally to global carbon emissions, Pakistan remains among the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. “We have learned that sustainability is not a luxury — it is a necessity for survival,” he stressed.
He underscored the critical need for enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South, particularly in knowledge-sharing, access to technology, and developing regional strategies. On this occasion, the Acting President reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. He further informed the audience that Pakistan’s Parliament is aligning national legislation and development priorities with the SDGs. In this regard, Pakistan will be hosting a two-day Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC) later this month, with peace, security, and development as its core theme.
Drawing upon his extensive diplomatic experience, the Acting President highlighted that parliamentary diplomacy, in complement with traditional state diplomacy, strengthens democratic voices and fosters sustainable consensus, enabling a more effective global role through representation of the people.
He further emphasized that this forum will play a vital role in addressing shared challenges such as terrorism, humanitarian crises, climate resilience, and transnational crimes — sending a clear message that sustainable development is our moral and political obligation to future generations.
In his closing remarks, the Acting President expressed his gratitude to all distinguished guests and said that together, “we will transform the prevailing global disorder into a new world that is equitable, prosperous, just, and sustainable.” He assured that Pakistan will continue to stand at the forefront of this collective pursuit. He also commended SDPI and its team for their exceptional hospitality and successful organization of the conference.
