VIENNA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday called for a renewed global commitment to inclusive and sustainable development, saying it remains the only viable pathway to durable peace and shared prosperity amid rising geopolitical tensions, climate pressures and technological disruption.
Addressing a special event titled “Sustainable Development: Pathway for Global Peace and Prosperity,” the prime minister said the world was confronting interconnected crises that were deepening instability. He warned that poverty, debt distress, mass displacement and unresolved political conflicts were compounding global challenges.
“The defining danger of our time is not any single threat, but the combination of many,” he said, adding that development must be equitable and leave no one behind.
Climate vulnerability and development priorities
Highlighting the disproportionate burden faced by developing countries, the prime minister said nations contributing least to global emissions were paying the highest price in climate-related disasters and economic volatility. He noted that Pakistan contributes less than one percent to global emissions but remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate change.
Recalling the floods of 2022 and subsequent climate events, he said such disasters undermine human security and strain national resources. He stressed that sustainable development must be anchored in equity, justice and fairness.
The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stating that they had been integrated into national planning with a focus on education, healthcare, food security and social protection, particularly for women and youth. He said Pakistan’s large youth population presents both a challenge and an opportunity, underscoring the need for investment in skills development and digital transformation.
Multilateralism and UN reform
Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s support for dialogue and multilateralism as essential tools for resolving disputes and preventing conflict. He emphasized the need to strengthen and reform the United Nations system to enhance its effectiveness in maintaining global peace and cooperation.
Referring to Vienna’s role within the UN framework, he noted that the city hosts key institutions dealing with counterterrorism, crime prevention, industrial development and the peaceful uses of nuclear technology and outer space. He said Pakistan values its engagement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The prime minister also stressed the importance of technology transfer and capacity building to ensure that advancements in artificial intelligence and biotechnology benefit all countries. He cautioned that widening digital gaps could evolve into entrenched development divides.
Agreements signed with UN agencies
Later, the prime minister attended the signing of several cooperation frameworks, including the UNIDO Programme for Country Partnership (PCP) Pakistan 2025–2030, the UNODC Country Programme Pakistan, and an agreement between the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology Lahore (INMOL) and the IAEA.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan remains committed to the principles of the UN Charter and values the role of Vienna-based organizations in promoting peace, security and sustainable development. He highlighted cooperation with the IAEA in peaceful nuclear applications and with UNODC in strengthening rule of law initiatives.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, who has visited Pakistan’s nuclear facilities including Chashma, described ongoing cooperation as constructive and said collaboration would continue to grow. UNIDO Deputy Director-General Yuko Yasunaga noted that climate and economic resilience are closely linked and emphasized the importance of low-carbon industrial development in safeguarding livelihoods.
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