ISLAMABAD, Oct 5, (Asia Free Press): Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday called for prioritizing vaccine equity, debt relief, climate finance, and return of stolen wealth to developing countries as part of global economic recovery from the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking at the World Leaders Summit Dialogue organized by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) during its ongoing 15th Quadrennial Meeting, hosted by Barbados, Khan expressed concerns over vaccine inequity and called for more equitable distribution, according to a statement, issued from Prime Minister office.
Recalling his campaign for debt relief, the Prime Minister advocated for debt relief until the end of the pandemic.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the urgent need for mobilization of and contribution by richer countries to climate finance given the vulnerability and existential challenges faced by Small Island Developing Countries (SIDS) and other developing countries, including Pakistan.
Reiterating his deep concern over the huge challenge of illicit flow of money – an annual amount of one trillion dollars- from developing countries to richer capitals and tax havens, the Prime Minister underscored the imperative of halting these outflows.
The Prime Minister once again emphasised the implementation of the UN Secretary General’s FACTI Panel recommendations, enabling developing countries to more meaningfully alleviate poverty and human development.
The Prime Minister was invited to the Leaders Dialogue along with Presidents of Kenya, and Guyana, Secretary-General UNCTAD, and heads of other UN agencies, under the theme of “Building a more prosperous development path: Matching the scale of the moment”.
The Quadrennial Conference, hosted virtually by Barbados from 4-7 October 2021, is taking place in the backdrop of unprecedented economic, public health, and social impacts, induced and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
