PM Shehbaz Reaffirms Pakistan’s Support for China’s Global Development Initiative

NEW YORK: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support for China’s Global Development Initiative (GDI), saying stronger multilateral cooperation is essential to address growing global challenges.

Addressing a high-level meeting on the GDI, the prime minister recalled that Chinese President Xi Jinping presented the initiative as a major global development proposal during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shehbaz Sharif said the wisdom and foresight behind the initiative were increasingly recognised internationally, while the rising prices of food and fuel had added to economic pressures facing countries around the world.

The prime minister said the international community needed stronger multilateral cooperation to address common challenges.

He said China and the GDI had made timely progress in this regard, adding that the initiative’s framework had translated into practical and tangible benefits for developing countries.

Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support for the Global Development Initiative, describing it as an important platform for cooperation among countries of the Global South and for advancing development in the developing world.

The prime minister said Pakistan-China cooperation was continuing through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

He said CPEC was now entering its second phase, opening further opportunities for economic cooperation, investment and development.

Pakistan has been working with China on CPEC Phase II, with the government focusing on industrial cooperation, investment, technology and other economic priorities.

Shehbaz Sharif said the Global Development Initiative was important for accelerating progress towards the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

He said Pakistan was ready to deepen cooperation with GDI partners and contribute to efforts aimed at strengthening development cooperation.

The prime minister also called for strengthening the UN development pillar and supporting the implementation of the UN Secretary-General’s initiatives.

Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan looked forward to maintaining close cooperation with China and the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative.

He stressed the need for countries to work together to advance the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity.

The prime minister’s remarks came as Pakistan continued to emphasise multilateralism and international cooperation at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Pakistan has highlighted sustainable development, climate change, global economic challenges and cooperation among developing countries among its priorities at the UNGA.