ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has expressed his strong commitment to international cooperation aimed at poverty alleviation, sustainable growth and addressing climate change.
Addressing virtually a forum on 20th Anniversary of Juncao Assistance and Sustainable Development Cooperation being held in Beijing China, he said Covid-19 has triggered an economic meltdown and slowed down global progress.
The extreme poverty rose last year for the first time in over 20 years.
Imran Khan said achievement of food security, and improved nutrition, have become greater challenges for developing countries, adding that sustainable ways of achieving economic recovery, growth and development are critical during the pandemic.
He said Juncao technology is one such way which helps small-scale farmers to develop low-cost and commercial-scale mushroom cultivation.
The prime minister said China is a role model for developing countries in poverty alleviation. He said its stellar growth has brought eight hundred million people out of poverty over the last four decades. He said China’s leadership role in climate change is also highly appreciated.
He commended China President Xi’s vision of a prosperous, clean and beautiful world and initiative to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
The prime minister said poverty alleviation and tackling climate change are his government’s key priorities, adding that Pakistan has launched a social safety programme, Ehsaas, with an objective of uplifting marginalised people, eradicating poverty and supporting vulnerable households.
Imran Khan said the Ehsaas Emergency Cash programme cushioned the most vulnerable part of population from the economic shocks of Covid-19 pandemic.
He said Pakistan being one of the most climate vulnerable countries, fully supports international efforts to combat this scourge.
He said “we are progressing towards a clean and green Pakistan. We have already planted one billion trees as part of our ten billion tree project to expand and restore forests.”
