UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK: Addressing the Ministerial Segment of the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) 2026 on Sustainable Development, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, delivered a strong call for global solidarity, warning that the world stands at a critical juncture with just five years remaining to achieve the 2030 Agenda.
The Minister highlighted that developing countries are facing severe headwinds in their pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to compounding global economic shocks, escalating climate disasters, rising debt burdens, and geopolitical tensions.
‘URAAN Pakistan’: A Roadmap for Recovery and Growth
Despite these global challenges, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the SDGs. He pointed out that Pakistan’s newly launched five-year national economic transformation plan, “URAAN Pakistan”, is fully aligned with the 2030 Agenda to steer the country toward modern development.
The initiative outlines a comprehensive roadmap aimed at:
- Economic growth and productive employment
- Technology-driven development
- Energy security and climate resilience
- Inclusive development that guarantees no one is left behind
He briefed the forum that over the past two years, Pakistan has executed tough but essential structural economic reforms, successfully restoring macroeconomic stability, rebuilding international investor confidence, and strengthening fiscal sustainability.
Climate Action and the Legacy of Disasters
Addressing the existential threat of climate change, the Minister recalled the catastrophic floods of 2022 and 2025. These consecutive climate disasters claimed thousands of lives, displaced millions, shattered infrastructure, and erased years of hard-won development gains.
In response, Pakistan is actively executing targeted local strategies to fight back:
- Restoring delicate ecosystems and expanding green cover.
- Strengthening water security through modern conservation.
- Integrating climate resilience directly into federal and provincial planning.
- Accelerating the transition to clean, affordable, and sustainable energy.
Warning Over Indus Waters Treaty Unilateralism
On the issue of water security, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal spoke decisively on the sanctity of regional agreements. He described the Indus Waters Treaty as a global benchmark of peaceful transboundary cooperation that has held strong for over six decades.
“Its unilateral and unlawful suspension by one party threatens the water security and livelihoods of 240 million Pakistanis, while directly undermining respect for international treaty obligations.”
— Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister
A Call for Global Financial Reform and Climate Justice
Concluding his address, the Planning Minister asserted that frontline climate-vulnerable nations should not be forced to bear the financial brunt of disasters they did not cause. He urged the international community and global financial institutions to take immediate action by:
- Expanding concessional finance for developing nations.
- Fulfilling outstanding global climate finance commitments immediately.
- Promoting Debt-for-Climate Swaps to ease fiscal pressure on vulnerable economies.
- Investing in pre-disaster resilience rather than focusing solely on post-disaster recovery.
“The time for incremental progress has passed,” the Minister urged. “We must act together, decisively and urgently, to protect our shared future.”
