Act Local to Go Global

Dr. Jassim Taqui DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, 1^st November, We have only about 87 months, 380 weeks, or 2600 days left to implement the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The best way to do so is by ensuring our cities and communities are sustainable.

These are big words. What I mean to say is that sometimes the solution to the challenges we are facing such as the Covid-19 pandemic, ongoing conflicts, and climate disasters is starring us in the face.

At UN-Habitat we work with communities and city managers every day. Cities and communities have the power to help Governments translate policy into practice.

With the right tools, local leaders can take action on critical needs such as housing, climate adaptation, and safety.

City managers very often engage the right partners and find solutions by working together with their communities.

But going from local to global is a two-way street. We need all levels of government and all stakeholders to become partners. We need to work alongside each other to rescue the SDGs.

This is the key to an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient global habitat. One where we live in harmony with nature.

The theme for this year’s World Cities Day 2022 is “Act Local to Go Global”. More than ever, we need to work towards achieving transformative change in our cities to build the future we want.

UN-Habitat has been at the forefront of localizing Sustainable Development Goals. We help by continuing to advocate for practical ways to incorporate the SDGs in local plans; creative ways to collect and use data to inform decision-

making; and most importantly, providing guidelines to ensure wider opportunities for women, youth, and the disabled to participate in the making and implementation of action plans. Participatory budgeting is one such example.

We also offer technical expertise to cities, train urban planners, and advocate for strengthening the voice of local and regional governments in the global arena.

On World Cities Day, let us confront urban challenges and forge lasting transformative solutions by finding those solutions together. Let’s act local to go global.

 

 

 Flood Damages and Economic Losses Over USD 30 billion

Dr. Jassim Taqui DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, October 30, 2022:  A damage, loss, and needs assessment following the unprecedented floods in Pakistan calls for ‘building back better, based on the principles of the poor first, transparency, inclusion, and climate resilience. The assessment estimates total damages to exceed USD 14.9 billion, and total economic losses to reach about USD 15.2 billion. Estimated needs for rehabilitation and reconstruction are at least USD 16.3 billion, not including much-needed new investments to strengthen Pakistan’s adaptation to climate change and overall resilience to future climate shocks, or reconstruction needs of affected private entities.

Housing; Agriculture and Livestock; and Transport and Communications sectors suffered the most significant damage, at USD 5.6 billion, USD 3.7 billion, and USD 3.3 billion, respectively. Sindh is the worst affected province with close to 70 percent of total damages and losses, followed by Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab.

The Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives led the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), which was conducted jointly with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the European Union (EU), the United Nations agencies with technical facilitation by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the World Bank. The PDA, in addition to estimating damages, economic losses, and recovery and reconstruction needs, also assesses broader macro-economic and human impacts and recommends principles along which to develop a comprehensive recovery and reconstruction framework.

The floods affected 33 million people and more than 1730 lost their lives. They are particularly impacting the poorest and most vulnerable districts. The situation is still evolving, with flood waters stagnant in many areas, causing water-borne and vector-borne diseases to spread, and more than 8 million displaced people now facing a health crisis. The crisis thus risks having profound and lasting impacts on lives and livelihoods. Loss of household incomes, and assets, rising food prices, and disease outbreaks are impacting the most vulnerable groups. Women have suffered notable losses of their livelihoods, particularly those associated with agriculture and livestock.

The PDA Human Impact Assessment highlights that the national poverty rate may increase by 3.7 to 4.0 percentage points, potentially pushing between 8.4 and 9.1 million more people below the poverty line. Multidimensional poverty can potentially increase by 5.9 percentage points, implying that an additional 1.9 households+ are at risk of being pushed into non-monetary poverty.

Compounding the existing economic difficulties facing the country, the 2022 floods are expected to have a significant adverse impact on output, which will vary substantially by region and sector. Loss in the gross domestic product (GDP) as a direct impact of the floods is projected to be around 2.2 percent of FY22 GDP. The agriculture sector is projected to contract the most, at 0.9 percent of GDP. The damage and losses in agriculture will have spillover effects on the industry, external trade, and services sectors.

 

 

 Climate devastation in Pakistan

Dr. Jassim Taqui DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, October 29, 2022:  As the catastrophic climate disaster continues to upend the lives of millions of children in Pakistan, it is the most vulnerable boys and girls who are paying the steepest price.  

“The children I have met here have lost everything: loved ones, cherished schoolbooks, the only homes they ever knew, their schools, their sense of security.  

“As the flood waters and the media attention recede, the crisis in Pakistan has become an acute child survival crisis. Frail, hungry children are fighting a losing battle against severe acute malnutrition, diarrhea, malaria, dengue fever, typhoid, acute respiratory infections, and painful skin conditions. As well as physical ailments, the longer the crisis continues, the greater the risk to children’s mental health.  

“Nearly 10 million children need immediate, lifesaving support. Hundreds have already lost their lives. Over 1 in 9 children here suffers from severe acute malnutrition – a life-threatening condition. Panic-stricken parents are searching for food to bring even a simple meal home to their children.  

“In a camp in Sohbatpur, Balochistan, I met Farida, who had fled her beloved home with her five children when the floods struck. She was worried sick about her one-year-old daughter, Rasheeda, who was visibly frail and weakened by acute malnutrition.  

“Their story is one among millions. As winter looms, boys and girls crammed inside flimsy tents, when they are lucky enough to have one, will continue to succumb to diseases that in normal times are preventable and treatable.   

“The boys and girls of Pakistan desperately need our support to survive. And yet the international appeal for Pakistan remains severely underfunded. Hundreds more children will lose their lives in the coming weeks if international support does not come in to scale up interventions.  

“But this story of climate devastation is not only the story of Pakistan.   

“In 2022 alone, climate-induced floods have ravaged Pakistan, Bangladesh, northern India, and Afghanistan, leaving over 15 million boys and girls in need of assistance.    

“Extreme heatwaves have scorched the crowded cities of the region, with temperatures climbing up to 48 degrees. Glaciers have continued to melt in Pakistan and Bhutan, while landslides in Nepal have swept away children’s homes and rising sea levels continue to threaten the very existence of Maldives.  

“Children have played no part in creating the climate catastrophe in South Asia, yet they are the ones paying the biggest price. This climate catastrophe is threatening the health, well-being, and very survival of over 616 million boys and girls who call this region their home.   

“Governments must urgently protect the critical water, sanitation, hygiene, health, and education services on which boys and girls so direly depend. They must also urgently make sure every boy and girl has the skills and knowledge they need to survive and thrive in a climate-changed world.  

“But first and foremost, global leaders must urgently limit global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This is the only way to save children’s lives.   

“Without urgent global action, the climate devastation we have seen in Pakistan will, I fear, only be a precursor of many more child survival catastrophes to come.”    

 

 

 Pakistan Floods 2022

Dr. Jassim Taqui DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, October 28, 2022:  2022 is the year the world realized Climate Change is here – 33 M affected, 1,718 killed, and 12,800 injured.

 

·       2.1 M houses damaged/destroyed, 8 M people displaced, including 644,000 living in relief camps. 13 K km of roads damaged. 1.2 M livestock lost.

 

·       We are just about to reach 100 days since the first appeal, and people still need lifesaving assistance.

 

·       Water is receding – but now there's not enough water for boats. This is increasing the number of inaccessible areas. People are returning to nothing.

 

·       3 months on, 7% of the land is still inundated – people are surviving on fish from the water they drink, cook with, clean, and defecate in. 500 such villages in Taluka 7 of Jamshoro district alone.

 

·       Winter is here and brings with it a new set of needs and challenges. Health perils are changing face with a rise in respiratory diseases.

 

·       There is an increase in gender-based violence, especially in Southern Punjab. Women and children are at risk in camps and settlements. Girls may also face increased risks of child marriage as families who have lost their livelihoods struggle to make ends meet

 

·       Health: 8.2 million people need health assistance

o   An upward trend in acute respiratory diseases from 13561 cases last week to about 17000 cases this week

o   After the malaria outbreak, there is also a growing dengue outbreak - with 74% of these cases reported in September alone and mostly in the flood-affected areas

o   Around 650,000 pregnant women in flood-affected areas face challenges in getting access to maternal services. More than 73,000 women are due to give birth in the next month -- in the throes of the crisis

o   Almost 10 million children require immediate life-saving support, while nearly 4 million lack access to health services.

o   According to NDMA, close to 2,000 health facilities has been damaged or destroyed. Stocks of essential medicines and medical supplies are low. Access limitations remain.

 

·          Food & Drinking Water: Funding for food assistance may finish by the end of the year if more funds are not received

o  An estimated 14.6 million people require emergency food assistance from December through March 2023, representing an increase of more than 100 percent of the pre-flood estimate. This includes 4 million people in IPC Phase 4 (emergency)

 

 

 

 National Drug Use Survey 2022-24

26 October 2022

Dr. Jassim Taqui DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, October 27, 2022: Drug abuse has emerged as an issue potentially endangering human society in terms of health hazards, crimes, money laundering, economic & terrorism, etc. it becomes even more challenging and threatening when dynamics of drug abuse and varieties of drugs and fast-changing and spreading without any boundaries, which is leading to an exponential rise in drug abuse across the globe in general and Pakistan in specific. Pakistan, being contiguous to major drug-producing areas, is more prone and susceptible to drug abuse which has manifested in the increased number of addicts across the country.

 

Given the increased vulnerability of youth in terms of drug abuse, there is a dire need to study its dynamics in Pakistan based on factual data, to understand the underlying causes. In the backdrop, the Government of Pakistan is launching a survey called, “National Drug Use Survey 2022-23” to collect data related to trends in drugs abuse, factors behind such indulgence, and consequents impacts on the fabric of society, which shall subsequently enable the stakeholders to formulate an appropriate, comprehensive and effective policy to cope with this menace on fronts of prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and awareness.

 

Keeping in view the global nature of the challenge, we must reiterate shared responsibility. A balanced, integrated, and proactive approach shall enable the achievement of the goals and objectives of drug abuse prevention and awareness. We, therefore, need to join hands to check the spread of drug abuse to safeguard our societies.

 

This year the World Drug Report 2022 revealed an estimated 284 million people worldwide had used drugs in 2020. Cannabis remains by far the world’s most-used drug, and the report also notes an increase in the use of amphetamines. Globally, the report estimates that 11.2 million people worldwide injected drugs during the period of the study. Around half of this number were living with hepatitis C, 1.4 million were living with HIV, and 1.2 million were living with both.

 

 Dr. Jeremy Milsom Representative UNODC in his welcome remarks thanked Mr. Nawabzada Shazain Bugti, Federal Minister for Narcotics Control, and his Ministry for their support in taking lead on the survey and U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) for their gracious financial support to conduct the national drug use survey and drug prevention and treatment interventions in the country.

 

Mr. Andrew J. Schofer – Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy Islamabad in his speech thanked the Federal Minister for Narcotics Control, UNODC, and other dignitaries for their partnership. DCM Schofer further stated that “through this project, the U.S. Embassy’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) will support the Government of Pakistan to provide evidence-based information to shed light on changing patterns of drug use and allow for stronger implementation of programs and refinement of policies.  The United States is proud to partner with the Government of Pakistan on drug demand reduction efforts.  To date, INL has provided $24 million U.S. dollars – that’s 522 million Pakistani rupees – of support for drug treatment and prevention efforts in Pakistan.  I am also pleased to share with you that this year we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the partnership between the United States and Pakistan.  The U.S. government, through INL, has invested more than 1 billion dollars over the last 40 years to improve citizen security and enhance law enforcement capacity across Pakistan.” 

 

Ms. Humaira Ahmed Federal Secretary Ministry of Narcotics Control in her speech appreciated UNODC for their technical assistance in conducting the national drug use survey and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs for their generous support for the national drug use survey and drug prevention and treatment interventions in the country.

 

 UNIC media briefing

Dr. Jassim Taqui DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, October 26, 2022: The United Nations Pakistan will hold a briefing to share Women and Child Health and Protection updates. The panel comprises of Humanitarian Coordinator, Deputy head of UNFPA, and officials from the Pakistan Humanitarian Forum and National Humanitarian Network.

When & Where:

The briefing will be held on Thursday, 27 October 2022, at 11:30 AM at the UN Conference Hall, Level 7, Serena Business Complex, Islamabad.

Contact Information:

For smooth access to the briefing, please send your name, organisation name, contact number and CNIC by COB on 26 October 2022 at unic-islamabad@un.org

For further information, contact

Kainat Afridi

UNIC Islamabad

 

 Launch of National Drug Use Survey Pakistan 2022-23

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, October 25, 2022: Ministry of Narcotics Control, the Government of Pakistan, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) are launching the National Drug Use Survey Pakistan 2022-23, with the financial support of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

 

In 2012 and 2013, UNODC in collaboration with the Ministry of Narcotics Control and other national stakeholders conducted a national survey on drug use to estimate the extent and patterns of drug use in Pakistan. The overall results of the survey revealed that approximately 6 percent of the population – 9 percent of the adult male population and 2.9 percent of the adult female population - equivalent to 6.7 million people - had used a substance other than alcohol and tobacco in the year preceding the survey.

 

Federal Minister for Narcotics Control, Honourable Nawabzada Shazain Bugti has kindly consented to be the Chief Guest of the launch of the survey. The launch will be co-chaired by Federal Secretary Ms. Humaira Ahmed and attended by counterparts, senior government officials, the international community, representatives of private-sector associations, development partners, Academia, Ambassadors, Diplomats, and colleagues from UN agencies.

 

You are cordially invited to do the coverage and attend the launch of National Drug Use Survey Pakistan 2022-23 on Wednesday, 26 October 2022, at 11:00 hrs at Marquee Hall, Marriott Hotel, Islamabad, followed by lunch.

 

 

 

 THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

MESSAGE ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY

FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, October 25, 2022: As we mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we face a harsh truth: the world is moving backward.

 

COVID-19 plunged millions into poverty, setting back more than four years of hard-won progress. Inequalities are widening. National and household economies are battered by job losses, skyrocketing food and energy prices, and the gathering shadows of a global recession.  

 

At the same time, the climate crisis and raging conflicts are causing immense suffering, with the poorest people bearing the brunt. 

 

Developing countries are being squeezed dry, and denied access to resources and debt relief to invest in recovery and growth.

 

The Sustainable Development Goals are being pushed far out of reach.

 

The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is a wake-up call to the world. This year’s theme — “Dignity for all in practice” — must be a rallying cry for urgent global action.

 

Action to invest in people-centered solutions — from health and decent work to gender equality, social protection, and transformed food and education systems.

 

Action to transform a morally bankrupt global financial system, and ensure access to financing and debt relief for all countries.

 

Action to support developing countries as they transition from planet-killing fossil fuels to renewable energy and job-creating green economies.

 

Action to end conflicts, heal geopolitical divisions, and pursue peace.

 

And action to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. 

 

On this important day, let us renew our commitment to a better world for all.

 

Let us consign poverty to the pages of history.

 

 

 

 

 PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS PROGRAMME

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, October 22, 2022: The Health Department of the Government of Punjab, in partnership with the United Nations in Pakistan, launched the Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Programme (PrEP) in Lahore yesterday.

 

PrEP is considered a ‘game changer’ in the prevention of HIV. Even though it has been more than 10 years since the first evidence of the efficacy of daily oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) was published, much of the PrEP scale-up is still highly concentrated in a small number of countries. Health Department, Government of Punjab in partnership with the United Nations in Pakistan, set a precedent in the country by launching community-based- PrEP for key populations and serodiscordant couples. PrEP does not replace condoms but offers an additional HIV prevention choice. Community-based PrEP dispensation is critical because CBOs working in Punjab have outreach programs and can play a pivotal role in creating awareness and ensuring stigma-free access to PrEP programs.

With support from UNAIDS along with WHO and UNDP, the Government of Pakistan developed guidelines and standard operating procedures for community and health facility-based dispensation of PrEP. The launch event was organized under the leadership of the Director General of Health Services of the Health Department Punjab in partnership with UNAIDS, UNDP, and WHO. Before the launch event, training was held with ART Centre staff from around the Punjab province on ensuring effective and evidence-based PrEP services.

Dr. Awias Gohar, Project Director PACP shared that between 2010 and 2020, Pakistan has seen an increase of 84% in new HIV infections and unless we take bold steps today, we will not be able to halt further new infections and PrEP is a step in the right direction. Addressing the participants, he further emphasized that “PrEP offers a significant strategic opportunity to precision target prevention programs for key populations. For the administering of PrEP to serodiscordant couples and key populations, formal linkages have been established between ART Centres and the outreach component of the current program. This approach utilizes outreach workers at the frontline to engage individuals who are at risk for HIV. Their main task is to connect members of the community to public health services so that they can be reached by HIV prevention programs that will now include PrEP. Outreach workers disseminate HIV prevention packages, provide safe sex education materials and support for behavior changes, and most importantly, refer the community for HIV testing and counseling and created linkages with ART treatment centers.”

 

 

 Trade and Industry should prioritize a sustainable development framework 

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, October 17, 2022: The United Nations and Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) organized ‘UN and Private Sector Consultation: Exploring Potential for Sustained Collaboration’ at a local hotel in Karachi on Wednesday last week. The Head of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Officer (UNESCO), Shah Nasir Khan, the Senior Vice President of FPCCI, Muhammad Suleman Chawla, VP Engineer, M.A. Jabbar, Dr. Jawaid Qureshi, and Dr. Farhan Ahmed, the Convener and Deputy Convener of the UN Committee of FPCCI participated in it. The UN officials from UNESCO, UNIDO (UN Industrial Development Organization), UNDP (UN Development Program), UNICEF (UN Children’s Fund), UN Women, FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization), WFP (World Food Programme), and UN Global Compact Network from Pakistan, and Bangladesh orientated the participants on the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for Pakistan for 2023-2027, the importance of engagement with the private sector, financing for sustainable development and business and human rights.  Officials from the public and private sector, academia, NGOs and civil society, women, representatives of youth, and the Turkish Consul General, Cemal Sangu participated in the event.  

 

Keeping in view the sustainable development goals (SDGs), the UN in Pakistan has set five priorities (outcomes) for Pakistan for the next 5 years that include basic social services (health, nutrition, WASH, education, social protection), gender and women empowerment, climate change and environment, sustainable inclusive economic growth and decent work, and governance (rule of law, ethics, transparency, and accountability for the public and private sectors). The participants of the event provided their valuable input to the UN for consideration of their framework. The draft framework now is being reviewed by the government of Pakistan before its final approval.

 

Mr. Barkaat Ali (Development Coordination Officer-UNRCO) while highlighting the seriousness of engagement with the private sector shared that globally US$ 5-7 trillion was required per year to achieve SDGs and the annual gap was US$ 2.5 trillion. Similarly, Pakistan, according to one estimate, required US$ 31 billion per annum between 2019 and 2030 to achieve its targets. The collaboration between the Government, the private sector and the UN was thus critical. Mr. Shah Nasir Khan informed that UNSDCF would require US$ 4.7 billion for its implementation out of which US$ 1.16 billion (24%) were available. These funds are deployed for the development of various sectors under different programs and initiatives including trade, industry, entrepreneurial development, gender equality, women empowerment, youth development, etc. The audience was briefed on various projects of the UN in Pakistan. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres recently visited Pakistan and sought help from the international community for Pakistan to respond to the unprecedented floods which have cost an estimated loss of US$ 30 billion to the country. 

 

The SVP FPCCI, Muhammad Suleman Chawla, highly appreciated the efforts of the UN agencies and their financial and technical assistance in various sectors. He lauded the efforts of the Central Standing Committee of UN Affairs of FPCCI and its Convener, Dr. Jawaid Qureshi, for holding such productive events. He informed that FPCCI has various standing committees like health, education, environment, women entrepreneurship, and women empowerment, etc., which contribute to social and economic development, including the SDGs. 

 

In the panel discussion, the VP Engineer, M.A. Jabbar, stated that the governance system in Pakistan is very weak. There is a lack of transparency, accountability, participation of all the stakeholders, collaboration, and cooperation. There is a trust deficit between the public and private sectors. However, there is a serious need to overcome these gaps. He cited various examples of hazardous effects of industrial waste, pollution, noise pollution, and ignorance by most of the industrialists and private sector. However, some companies have high concerns and measures to protect the natural environment He advised that the Government of Sindh and the Federal Government should reconsider their agreement on setting up a railway infrastructure to dispatch coal of Thar to the industrial zones of Punjab, etc. for energy production. Rather, they should establish a coal-fired plant in Thar and put the energy into the national grid.

 

The UN representatives also highlighted various serious issues concerning climate change, global warming, and challenges to the biodiversity and ecosystem caused by environmental degradation and its cost to the society and economy. The developed countries caused the highest degradation to the environment, but now they are considering impactful measures for carbon neutrality or net zero effect. The Indus Basin system of rivers is creating livelihood for millions of people in Pakistan and neighboring countries. Ms. Shahnaz Wazir Ali, President of SZABIST University, ex-Minister of State for Education, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on the Social Sector emphasized the governance mechanism to bring systematic reforms. She stated that to combat the environmental challenges, there is a serious need that universities should introduce new courses and specialized degree programs on water management, gender studies, violence, justice, etc.

 

Dr. Jawaid Qureshi added that the environmental changes cause a lack of rains and droughts as well as heavy rains and floods, deforestation, sea erosion, etc. The coastal belt of Thatta and Badin has been eroded by the sea, which has engulfed 30 million acres of land, and there is a dire need for planting mangroves there and reforestation. Many countries have 25% or more of their land covered with forests, while we have only 2% forest cover. One recent example is the loss of floods in 2022. Generally, there are little awareness and model examples in Pakistan on issues like corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainability, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns by investors and shareholders, responsible consumption and production (CSP), public-private partnership (PPP) for provision of public services, etc.  

 

Finally, the FPCCI team represented by the SVP, Muhammad Suleman Chawla, and the UN team represented by Shah Nasir Khan agreed to continue such interactions between the two organizations for attaining the outcomes of the sustainable development cooperation framework (SDCF) for Pakistan for 2023-2027, keeping a high priority on climate action.