Pakistani delegation calls for action on climate, poverty during IPU hearing

ISLAMABAD: Senator Abdul Qadir recently emphasised the devastating impact of climate change on poverty and hunger in developing nations as he represented the Pakistani delegation at the 2025 Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). 

According to a press release of the hearing, which was held at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Qadir said that the adverse impacts of climate change "add to poverty and hunger in developing countries."

He warned that these countries are already grappling with multiple crises, including food shortages, rising fuel costs, and financial instability.

Additionally, Qadir, who was accompanied by Senator Farooq Hamid Naek, Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman and Senator Faisal Subazwary in the Pakistani delegation, highlighted that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have gained "high level of national ownership across most countries".

He reiterated Pakistan's commitment to the global agenda, reminding the participants that the country had formally adopted the SDGs as part of its national development framework through a National Assembly resolution in 2016, according to the press release.

However, he also acknowledged the significant hurdles that remain.

"Accountability, transparency and lack of sufficient resources are real challenges," Qadir pointed out, adding that parliaments have a "crucial role to play to advance SDGs through different interventions".

In addition, the senator called for greater investment in health, education and economic sectors to ensure growth and progress.

He also hoped that deliberations of the forum will focus on systemic reforms to get SDGs back on the track, the press release said.