Prime Minister delivers key note address at the Leaders Dialogue on Sustainable Development

(2013-09-25)

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addressed the High level Political Forum on Sustainable Development on 24 September 2013 as a key note speaker. The Prime Minister was invited by the President of UN General Assembly to share his ideas and suggestions on the issue of Global partnerships for development to create jobs and improve sustainable lifestyles.

In his key note address, the Prime Minister called for a development agenda that is not based on aid alone. He said that he was an advocate of trade not aid; market access, economic partnerships, and transfer of technology and scientific knowhow. He added that he was against aid because it creates dependency and stunts the growth of states.

The Prime Minister said that despite efforts that have been made by the United Nations, “poverty is still stalking the earth. Climate change has made our planet extremely fragile and vulnerable”. He asked the Forum to focus on jobs. He stated that as politicians and leaders of our nations, we all know that jobs sit at the heart of growing economies, good governance and political stability. He said that the government was investing maximum time and energy in indirect interventions, in reviving our economy and taking our growth from the present 3.6% to more than 7% in next five years. This will give a strong stimulus to agriculture, industry, trade, and services and create millions of new jobs. The government is also giving incentives to the private sector to generate maximum employment.

Islamabad
25 September 2013

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