February 2022 | UCLG ASPAC LEAD for SDGs programme organised two activities to support the SDGs localisation in Pakistan: 1) Formation and launch of district alliance on SDGs and 2) capacity building workshop for Parliamentary Taskforces on SDGs.
22 February | Capacity building workshop for Parliamentary Taskforces on SDGs
The LEAD for SDGs Localisation in Pakistan Programme held a two-day workshop of sessions for building the capacity of the “SDGs Parliamentary Taskforces” to identify strategies, mechanisms and partnerships accelerating effective localisation and implementation of the Agenda 2030.
The workshop was held in Islamabad with National, Provincial, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Gilgit Baltistan Taskforces, representatives of local governments and other stakeholders.
Led by Mr. Riaz Fatyana, the National Parliamentary Taskforce on SDGs hosted this event in collaboration with the Association for Development of Local Governance, supported by UCLG ASPAC and the European Union and, under the LEAD for SDGs Localisation Programme in Pakistan. Secretary General of UCLG ASPAC in her video message praised the effort made by Pakistan in localising the SDGs and hoped for further acceleration in the achievement of the SDGs.
Mr. Farrukh Habib State Minister for Information and Broadcasting opened the two days capacity building workshop. On the second day, the closing remarks were delivered by the Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser.
The Head of Cooperation of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Pakistan, Mr. Ovidiu Mic expressed satisfaction that the EU, through the LEAD project, is contributing to the evolving debate on localising SDGs. He commended that the workshop created an interface for local authorities with the relevant parliamentary taskforces and representatives of the Federal Government to discuss common challenges and constraints.
Mr. Farrukh Habib tendered their remarks on the significance of SDGs and the important role of local governments to achieve Agenda 2030. He ensured that their government is moving fast to establish elected local governments. He also highlighted the local government elections held in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and suggested the soon to be election schedule in Punjab.
The second day of the workshop ended with valuable and productive outcomes. Mr. Asad Qaiser glorified the event and increased the morale of all the members of Taskforces on SDGs for this learning session of all the PTFs of Pakistan on one platform. He appreciated the high-level capacity building workshop showcasing efforts of the LEAD for SDGs localisation in Pakistan Programme.
All the Provincial Taskforces and National Taskforce on SDGs shared their key findings and recommendations after a successful group work to achieve practical and grassroots information to develop the strategic plan for Taskforces on SDGs.
Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan, KPK and Federal Parliamentary Taskforces on SDGs presented their key issues, limitations, and opportunities to energise Taskforces on SDGs for implementation of Agenda 2030 in a true sense.
Mr. Stephen Langrell, Head of Rural Development and Economic Co-operation graced the event at closing day representing Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan, he assured the participants that all future projects funded by the EU in Pakistan will be aligned with the implementation of the SDGs. The parliaments acknowledged the active participation of the delegation of the European Union to Pakistan on the two-day event of LEAD4SDGs.
The open forum was provided to discuss key challenges and constraints, followed by group presentations by the national and provincial taskforces about their activities, performance, and achievements. The workshop also enhanced communication among Taskforces on SDGs, recognition of Taskforces as statutory committees, secretarial support, a platform for engagement through knowledge sharing, best practices, and essentially active capacity-building support to Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir taskforces
5 February | Formation and Launch of District Alliance on SDGs in Nausharo Feroze (Dist.)
In Naushahro Feroze, the first District Alliance meeting was held. The purpose of the meeting was to form and launch a district alliance in the Naushahro Feroze district on SDG localisation. Participants included representatives from local government, civil society organisations, the commercial sector, education, health, academia, research institutions, the media, and the bar association. During an open debate, the participants were allowed to express their opinions on the terms of reference prepared for the district alliance. All participants expressed their gratitude for the LEAD project’s efforts and agreed to remain committed to the cause of localising SDGs while signing the membership forms and becoming members of the Naushahro Feroze district alliance.
Following the meeting, a detailed awareness session on SDGs localisation was conducted. The SDGs were discussed in detail, as well as how they differ from the Millennium Development Goals. The provincial reports and SDG highlights, as well as the Naushahro Feroze District’s SDG prioritisation, were also discussed.
Discussion Points
- Syed Ameer Ali Shah, General Secretary of the Sindh Local Council Association (LCAS), gave a brief overview of the LEAD for SDGs project and its ultimate goal. He stressed the importance of forming district-level alliances to educate citizens about the concept of localisation of SDGs and allow them to participate in the development of SDG-aligned local development plans.
- Mr. Aijaz Khuwaja, LEAD for SDGs Programme Consultant, spoke about the goal of forming a district alliance, the criteria for selecting district alliance members, the scope of activity, and the format of future meetings.
- LCAS member Syed Zaheer Shah emphasised the importance of members’ willingness to participate actively in the alliance.
- Mr. Shahid Hussain, Assistant Commissioner Services, General Administration and Coordination Department, GoS, discussed the current state of SDGs in the Naushahro Feroze District and how each government department can help to localise SDGs at the provincial and district levels.
- Mr. Aijaz Khuwaja, Consultant of the LEAD for SDGs Program, provided an overview of the overall SDGs and their implementation in the Naushahro Feroze district.
