Our economy needs the rub of the green

Green economy is vital for inclusive and sustainable growth. This was said by eminent international experts and senior Pakistani officials and business representatives unanimously Friday at the opening day of two-day ‘National consultation on green economy, jointly organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), One UN Joint Programme on Environment, Ministry of Climate Change, Heinrich Boll Stiftung (HBS) and Lead Pakistan here.
They main objective of the consultation is to review the preparations for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development to be hosted by Brazil in Rio on 20-22 June and likely to be attended by more than 130 heads of state and government and thousands of delegates representing the UN, private business, non-governmental organizations and media. During the first day of consultation, the delegates deliberated on set of considerations for the Pakistani delegation for the forthcoming Rio+20 Summit as well as ideas for consideration by all stakeholders after the Summit in order to accelerate the achievement of sustainable development and poverty eradication in Pakistan. Chairing the opening session, Dr. Nadeem-ul-Haque, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission said that time has come to revisit policies and rethink discourse according to green economy concept.
He said that current policy framework and ways of managing resources in the country has become obsolete. Timo Pakkala, United Nations Resident Coordinator reiterated that UN is committed to support Pakistan to promote economic growth and spearhead its pace towards sustainable development while appreciating recent developments at policy level including establishment of Ministry of Climate Change and preparation of climate change policy. Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director, SDPI welcomed participants and hoped that this consultation will be useful in articulating Pakistan’s stance in purview of green economy and poverty eradication at the Rio +20 conference.