Pakistan to enhance cooperation with China, GDI members for sustainable development: PM

ISLAMABAD, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar said on Tuesday that Pakistan looks forward to enhancing its cooperation with China and other members of the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to a statement issued by the prime minister's office, Kakar participated in a high-level meeting on the GDI cooperation outcomes on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

In his remarks at the meeting, the prime minister highlighted that progress towards achieving the SDGs has suffered a severe setback due to the crises of COVID-19, conflict and climate change.

Kakar also highlighted the need for action in five key areas, including food production, infrastructure investment, industrialization, resilient healthcare systems and the bridging of the digital divide, said the statement.

The prime minister said Pakistan supports the GDI and commended the milestones achieved in its implementation, stressing that the Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor are vital vehicles for achieving the SDGs.

The prime minister also highlighted the necessity of adequate and appropriate finance at all levels of the development process while welcoming China's announcement of the setting up of another fund of 10 billion U.S. dollars dedicated to implementing the GDI.