Photo exhibition on sustainable development goals launched

Photo exhibition on sustainable development goals launched

Al-Bab Report

As part of celebrations of the UN Day on October 24, a photo exhibition was launched at Lok Virsa in Islamabad on Monday that looks at the lives of Pakistani people through the lens of UN's Sustainable Development Goals.

Jointly developed by Agence France-Presse (AFP), the European Union and the United Nations with support from the Embassy of France in Pakistan and UK Aid, the exhibition comprises 102 photos from all over Pakistan, organized in 17 collections, according to the Sustainable Development Goals. It aims to raise awareness about SDGs and UN's efforts for development in Pakistan and will remain open for public untilNovember 21.

Sartaj Aziz, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs inaugurated the exhibition. Martine Dorance, Ambassador of France to Pakistan, Jean-François Cautain, Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan, Neil Buhne, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, Amélie Herenstein, Bureau Chief Pakistan and Afghanistan for AFP and Vittorio Cammarota, Director of United Nations Information Centre were also present on the occasion.

“This exhibition reflects beautifully the diversity of Pakistan, but it also visualizes the common humanity and spirit of all people here. The UN team in Pakistan hopes through its own diversity and through support to the sustainable development goals, to help all Pakistanis meet their own shared goals,” said Resident Coordinator of the UN Neil Buhne.

“It is a great honor for AFP Pakistan to present, for the first time, our photos directly to the Pakistani public," said Amélie Herenstein. "We have deliberately chosen to focus on the human angle of the story, showing the reality of life as it is now for millions of Pakistanis, be they shopkeepers, teachers, farmers, children, or immigrants abroad. It also documents the extraordinary resilience of ordinary Pakistanis in the face of tragic events like floods,” she added.

"In Pakistan, the EU has been for many years working closely with the Government, the private sector and the civil society to tackle the challenges the country faces. We will continue this strong partnership, in cooperation with the United Nations, ensuring that our assistance contributes to Pakistan achieving the SDGs for the benefit of each citizen of this country," said the EU Ambassador Jean-François Cautain.

"The Sustainable Development Goals are the global blueprint of development for the next 15 years," said Vittorio Cammarota, Director of the UN Information Centre in Islamabad. "These powerful images will, hopefully, enhance awareness of Pakistan’s development priorities and inspire Pakistani citizens to take action," he added.

The Sustainable Development Goals represent a common agenda, adopted by the world leaders to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change by 2030. These 17 goals comprise 169 targets which focus on economic inequality, innovation, climate change, sustainable consumption, peace and justice, among others. Promotion and raising awareness about SDGs is a top priority for UN system in Pakistan.

United Nations Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being.