World Day Against Trafficking in Persons Dr. Jassim Taqui DG, Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad July 30, 2023: The following is the message of the UNSG His Excellency Antonio Guterres on the occasion of World Day Trafficking in Persons: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency with Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University successfully commemorated the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on 27 July 2023. The event witnessed an overwhelming display of solidarity from medical students, faculty members, distinguished guests, and esteemed partners, all joining hands to raise awareness and combat human trafficking. Human trafficking is a grave human rights violation affecting millions worldwide, exploiting vulnerable individuals and subjecting them to various forms of exploitation, including organ removal, forced labor, sexual exploitation, and domestic servitude. In recognition of the urgent need to address this critical issue, the event focused on the broader issue of trafficking while specifically shedding light on the distressing concern of trafficking for organ removal. The FIA building and Shifa Hospital Building were illuminated in blue, symbolizing hope, and solidarity in the fight against trafficking. A highlight of the event was the commemoration held at Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, attended by medical students who are at the forefront of the fight against human trafficking. Speakers from UNODC and the FIA delivered powerful messages on the urgency to combat trafficking, emphasizing the role of medical professionals in identifying and addressing this crime. Throughout the day, activities such as the distribution of T-Shirts, Caps, and Blue Heart Lapel Pins to students, and the placement of standees at prominent locations like Shifa Hospital, Islamabad Airport, FIA Headquarters, and the UNODC country office, aimed to raise awareness among the public and mobilize support. The event also featured a social media campaign, with recorded messages from key partners aired on various platforms, amplifying the message against trafficking, and reaching a wider audience.

UNODC and FIA Commemorate World Day Against Trafficking in Persons with Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University Islamabad Dr. Jassim Taqui DG, Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad July 28, 2023: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency with Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University successfully commemorated the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on 27 July 2023. The event witnessed an overwhelming display of solidarity from medical students, faculty members, distinguished guests, and esteemed partners, all joining hands to raise awareness and combat human trafficking. Human trafficking is a grave human rights violation affecting millions worldwide, exploiting vulnerable individuals and subjecting them to various forms of exploitation, including organ removal, forced labor, sexual exploitation, and domestic servitude. In recognition of the urgent need to address this critical issue, the event focused on the broader issue of trafficking while specifically shedding light on the distressing concern of trafficking for organ removal. The FIA building and Shifa Hospital Building were illuminated in blue, symbolizing hope, and solidarity in the fight against trafficking. A highlight of the event was the commemoration held at Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, attended by medical students who are at the forefront of the fight against human trafficking. Speakers from UNODC and the FIA delivered powerful messages on the urgency to combat trafficking, emphasizing the role of medical professionals in identifying and addressing this crime. Throughout the day, activities such as the distribution of T-Shirts, Caps, and Blue Heart Lapel Pins to students, and the placement of standees at prominent locations like Shifa Hospital, Islamabad Airport, FIA Headquarters, and the UNODC country office, aimed to raise awareness among the public and mobilize support. The event also featured a social media campaign, with recorded messages from key partners aired on various platforms, amplifying the message against trafficking, and reaching a wider audience.

World of Work Crises Response Dr. Jassim Taqui DG, Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies Islamabad July 22, 2023:

The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, in partnership with the International Labour Organization, successfully conducted a landmark validation workshop on the World of Work (WOW) Crisis Response Strategy. The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders and experts to finalize the strategy that charts a path for preparedness, mitigation, and response to crises while emphasizing the centrality of decent work and human-centered recovery. The validation workshop marked a significant milestone in addressing the challenges faced by the workforce during times of crisis, especially workers in the informal economy who are susceptible to vulnerabilities and falling into further adversity. The strategy, which emerged from the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Labour and the ILO, provides a clear direction for all stakeholders in the world of work on the essential steps to be taken to effectively respond to crises. Secretary Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and HRD, Mr. Zulfiquar Haider, highlighted the critical importance of improved vertical and horizontal coordination among stakeholders for an efficient and synchronized response to crises. He stressed that the strategy's success relies on the collective efforts of all stakeholders, and together, they can pave the way for a more resilient workforce. Additional Secretary, of the Economic Affairs Division, Ms Samar Ehsaan, and the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Mr Tassaduq Hussain, pledged their unwavering support to the stakeholders in the world of work. They acknowledged the crucial role of employment creation and committed to working closely with representatives of employers and workers' organizations and provincial entities especially labour departments mandated to ensure regulation of work in line with International Labour Standards. They aim to design and implement relevant projects that focus on enhancing the capacities of the most vulnerable, including those working in the informal economy.

Childhood immunization bounces back Dr. Jassim Taqui DG, Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad July 20, 2023: Immunization services in South Asia reached 1.96 million more children in 2022 compared to the previous year, as countries stepped up efforts to address the historic backsliding in immunization caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and save children’s lives. According to data published today by UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2022, the coverage of the third dose of the Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Tetanus vaccine (DTP3) increased by 6 percentage points, from 85 percent in 2021 to 91 percent in South Asia. The DTP vaccine is used as the global marker for immunization coverage. “South Asia’s progress to catch up with life-saving vaccinations is tremendous news for the children in the region who now have a better chance of being protected against deadly diseases such as measles, tetanus, and more,” said UNICEF Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, Noala Skinner. “We owe this progress to the leadership of countries, the investment of donors and partners, the tenacity of millions of vaccinators, and the commitment of parents to get their children vaccinated despite several challenges during and after the COVID-19 pandemic waves.”

پاکستان میں موسمیاتی تبدیلیوں سے نمٹنے کے لیے امریکی اعانت سے منصوبہ کا آغاز Dr. Jassim Taqui DG, Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies Islamabad July 18, 2023:

بہتری اور سبز ڈھانچہ میں سرمایہ کاری کر کے ماحولیاتی تبدیلیوں کے حوالے سے پاکستان کی بحالی کی استطاعت میں اضافہ کرنا ہے۔ امریکی ادارہ برائے بین الاقوامی ترقی (یو ایس ایڈ) پچاس لاکھ ڈالر کی اعانت سے یہ منصوبہ چلا رہا ہے جبکہ رواں ہفتہ گرین کلائمیٹ فنڈ (جی سی ایف) کی جانب سےاس منصوبہ کے لیے ساڑھے چھ کروڑڈالر کی اعانت بھی منظور کی گئی ہے۔ کوکا کولا فاؤنڈیشن نے پچاس لاکھ ڈالر اور ورلڈ وائلڈ لائف فنڈ نے اس منصوبہ کے لیے اٹھارہ لاکھ ڈالر جاری کیے ہیں۔ مجموعی طور پر سات کروڑ اٹھتّر لاکھ ڈالر پر مشتمل موسمیاتی تبدیلیوں سے نبرد آزما ہونے کے لیےپاکستان کی بنیادی صلاحیت میں اضافہ کے لیے یہ اب تک سب سے بڑی سرمایہ کاری ہے۔ اس موقع پر اظہارخیال کرتے ہوئے امریکی سفیر ڈونلڈ بلَوم نے کہا کہ امریکی حکومت ریچارج پاکستان منصوبہ کوپانی کی کمی کا شکار علاقوں میں سیلاب سے بچاؤ اور اقتصادی مواقع کی فراہمی کے لیے صورتحال کی ہیئت تبدیل کرنے والے منصوبے کے طور پر دیکھ رہی ہے۔ جی سی ایف، کوکا کولا فاؤنڈیشن اور ورلڈ وائلڈ لائف فنڈ کے اشتراک سے جاری اس منصوبہ سے موسمیاتی تبدیلیوں کے منفی اثرات پر قابو پایا جا سکے گا اوریہ بغیر کسی مشکل کے پاک۔امریکہ سبز اتحاد لائحہ عمل کے ساتھ ہم آہنگ ہو گا۔ حکومت پاکستان کی وزارت برائے موسمیاتی تبدیلی اس سلسلے میں وزارت آبی ذرائع اور وفاقی فلڈ کمیشن اور دیگر شراکت داروں کے ساتھ اشتراک کرے گی تاکہ سندھ طاس میں سیلاب اور قحط سالی سے بچا جاسکے، مہلک گیسوں کا اخراج روکا جا سکے اور سبز پالیسیوں کو فروغ دیتے ہوئے اس سلسلے میں پالیسی سازی، قانونی، باضابطگی اور ادارہ جاتی ماحول قائم کیا جاسکے جس سے سبز ماحول کے اقدامات کو تقویت حاصل ہو۔ اس منصوبہ کا ایک اور مقصد ملازمت کے موجودہ مواقع میں بہتری لانا اور ایسے منصوبوں کو فروغ دنیا ہے جو ۲۰۲۲ء کے سیلاب کے بعد ماحولیاتی تبدیلیوں کو برداشت کرتے ہوئے زراعت، جنگلات، پانی اور نکاسی کے شعبوں میں انفرادی اور نظام کی کمزوریوں کو دُور کریں۔ اس پروگرام پرخیبر پختونخوا کے اضلاع ڈیرہ اسماعیل خان اور رمک ، سندھ کے ضلع منچھر، اور بلوچستان کے ضلع چکّر لحری میں عملدرآمد کیا جائے گا۔ امیدہے کہ اس منصوبہ سے سات لاکھ افراد مستفید ہونگے اور یہ منصوبہ اس بات کا غماز ہے کہ کس طرح مختلف شراکت دار پاک۔امریکہ سبز اتحاد لائحہ عمل کے لیے مل کر کام کر سکتے ہیں۔

WORLD YOUTH SKILLS DAY Dr. Jassim Taqui DG, Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad July 15, 2023: The following is the message of His Excellency UNSG Antonio Guterres on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day: In every corner of the world, young people face a whirlwind of change — technological advancements, a rapidly changing job market, demographic shifts, climate challenges, and learning losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Equipping young people with quality education, training and skills is essential. This World Youth Skills Day reminds us that teachers stand at the forefront of this great global effort. We must ensure that teachers gain the education and professional development opportunities they need as they help young people make the transition from school to the workplace. I recently launched the High-Level Panel on the Teaching Profession to provide recommendations to help achieve this. And we need to dramatically scale-up investment in education and training systems and technologies worldwide so teachers can provide inclusive and flexible learning opportunities for young people no matter where they live. Humanity’s future depends on the boundless energy, ideas and contributions of young people. On this day, and every day, let’s stand with teachers as they, in turn, help young people gain the education and skills required to shape a better, more sustainable future for us all.

U.S. Backs Recharge Pakistan Project Dr. Jassim Taqui DG, Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad July 15, 2023: The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, is pleased to support Recharge Pakistan, a project to enhance Pakistan’s resilience to climate change by improving water systems and investing in green infrastructure. USAID contributed $5 million in funding to support this project, and this week the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board approved an additional $66 million in grant funding to support the project. The Coca-Cola Foundation contributed $5 million, and the World Wildlife Fund contributed $1.8 million. Overall, this $77.8 million partnership is the largest-ever investment in an ecosystem-based approach to building Pakistan’s climate resilience. “The U.S. government considers the Recharge Pakistan Project a game changer for flood mitigation and the creation of economic opportunities in areas faced with recurring water insecurity. Partnering with GCF, the Coca-Cola Foundation, and World Wildlife Fund will help Pakistan tackle the negative impacts of climate change and align seamlessly with the U.S.-Pakistan Green Alliance framework,” said U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome. The Government of Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change will collaborate with the Ministry of Water Resources’ Federal Flood Commission and implementing partners to reduce flood and drought risk in the Indus Basin; reduce emissions; and promote green policies, strengthen the policy, legal, regulatory, and institutional environment promoting green climate efforts. The project also aims to improve employment opportunities and support bankable projects for climate-resilient businesses in the agriculture, forestry, water, and sanitation sectors to help reduce the vulnerability of people and ecosystems to the impacts of climate change following the devastating floods of 2022. The project will be implemented in Dera Ismail Khan and Ramak districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Manchar in Sindh, and Chakkar Lehri in Balochistan. The project is expected to benefit more than seven million people. This project illustrates how a wide range of partners can come together in support of the U.S.-Pakistan “Green Alliance” framework.

US supports KP Gov Dr. Jassim Taqui DG, Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad July 14, 2023: The U.S. government is partnering with the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to strengthen transparency and accuracy in the land records and registration system, promoting economic growth and investment in the seven subdivisions of the Newly Merged Districts. At a ceremony in Peshawar attended by Ambassador Blome on July 13, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provided $5 million worth of equipment to the KP Board of Revenue, augmenting its capacity for accurate land measurements. The United States also announced a new partnership to empower the Ombudsperson Secretariat by providing training to Ombudsperson staff on women's rights and land settlement regulations. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the Ombudsperson's crucial role in safeguarding women's rights to property and inheritance. "With the support of USAID, the Board of Revenue of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is entirely digitizing the land records system in the seven subdivisions of the Newly Merged Districts…Land record management will be revolutionized, benefiting the people of the Merged Areas by significantly increasing efficiency, accuracy, and convenience," said Ikramullah Khan, Senior Member of the Board of Revenue. While in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ambassador Blome also joined Inspector General Akhtar Hayat and KP Police Officers in an inauguration ceremony of the recently completed $17.2 million Joint Police Training Center in Nowshera. The inauguration marks the end of the 12-year project funded by the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). The center is the largest construction project ever completed by INL in Pakistan. Implemented by the UN Development Program (UNDP), the completion of this project has enabled the training center to increase its training capacity to 1,700 personnel at one time. The project constructed 75 buildings, including academic buildings, a health unit, men’s and women’s hostels, and a multi-purpose hall. Ambassador Blome and Inspector General of KP Police Hayat also signed an agreement to deliver $3 million in life-saving armored vehicles, bulletproof vests, and helmets to the KP Police. At the event, Ambassador Blome stated, “This investment will have a lasting positive impact. The strengthening of law enforcement presence and the writ of the government in remote and under-governed areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will lead to increased security and prosperity.”

122 million more people pushed into hunger since 2019 Dr. Jassim Taqui DG, Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad July 13, 2023: Over 122 million more people are facing hunger in the world since 2019 due to the pandemic and repeated weather shocks and conflicts, including the war in Ukraine, according to the latest State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report published today jointly by five United Nations specialized agencies. If trends remain as they are, the Sustainable Development Goal of ending hunger by 2030 will not be reached, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) warn. A wake-up call for the fight against hunger The 2023 edition of the report reveals that between 691 and 783 million people faced hunger in 2022, with a mid-range of 735 million. This represents an increase of 122 million people compared to 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. While global hunger numbers have stalled between 2021 and 2022, there are many places in the world facing deepening food crises. Progress in hunger reduction was observed in Asia and Latin America, but hunger was still on the rise in Western Asia, the Caribbean, and throughout all subregions of Africa in 2022. Africa remains the worst-affected region with one in five people facing hunger on the continent, more than twice the global average.

CASH TO AFGHAN REFUGEES Dr. Jassim Taqui DG, Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad July 12, 2023: UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has completed the disbursement of cash assistance to over 1 million registered Afghan refugees in Pakistan who were impacted by the prolonged difficult economic situation in the aftermath of the devastating floods of 2022. The cash assistance program, which was launched in January 2023 in collaboration with the Government of Pakistan, officially concluded at the end of June. UNHCR’s one-off cash grant of up to PKR 25,000 or approximately USD100, depending on family size, supported a total of 250,000 Afghan refugee households in Pakistan. The total spending on cash assistance for Afghan refugees since January was USD 17.8 million. UNHCR’s Representative in Pakistan, Ms. Noriko Yoshida, said that the current economic situation coupled with the floods last year had badly affected people in Pakistan, including refugees. “It was imperative to provide cash assistance to refugees in line with the support that was provided by the government to the people in Pakistan,” she said. Pakistan hosts over 1.3 million registered Afghan refugees and 427,000 people in refugee-like situations from Afghanistan. The assistance has helped those hardest hit by the economic downturn by enabling them to meet their basic needs.

THE WORLD POPULATION DAY Dr. Jassim Taqui DG, Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad July 11, 2023: The following is the message of His Excellency UNSG Antonio Guterres on World Population Day: Our human family is larger than ever. Yet leaders are falling woefully behind in efforts to build a peaceful and prosperous world for all. Halfway to the 2030 deadline the Sustainable Development Goals are dangerously off track. Gender equality is almost 300 years away. Progress on maternal health and access to family planning has been glacial. This year’s World Population Day focuses on unleashing the power of gender equality. Gender-based discrimination harms everyone – women, girls, men, and boys. Investing in women uplifts all people, communities, and countries. Advancing gender equality, improving maternal health, and empowering women to make their own reproductive choices are both essential in themselves, and central to achieving all the Sustainable Development Goals. Let us stand with women and girls fighting for their rights. And let us intensify our quest to make the Sustainable Development Goals a reality for all 8 billion of us.

U.S. Independence Day Reception Celebrates U.S.- Pakistan Green Alliance Dr. Jassim Taqui DG, Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad July 7, 2023: The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad hosted a reception on July 6 to commemorate the 247th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America. Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif was the guest of honor, representing the people and government of Pakistan.  In addition to celebrating Independence Day, the event recognized the achievements of the U.S.-Pakistan Green Alliance framework and looked ahead to the many opportunities for continued and expanded partnership between the United States and Pakistan. The U.S.-Pakistan Green Alliance framework is a transformative initiative addressing today’s most pressing environmental challenges, especially around water management, climate-smart agriculture, and renewable energy. Beyond mitigating climate change and its effects, the partnership recognizes that green choices also present tremendous economic opportunities, opening doors for increased bilateral trade and investment, as well as the creation of new jobs and industries. The initiative actively promotes the inclusion of women in the economy to ensure that the path to a greener, more sustainable future is empowering for all. Last year’s flooding in Pakistan served as a stark reminder that climate change is not a distant threat. As Pakistan continues to recover from the devastation and prioritizes a transition to clean energy and environmental stewardship, the United States will remain a steadfast partner. The United States has already pledged over $215 million to support the Pakistani people’s recovery and resilience to future disasters. In his remarks, U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome noted the importance of values like innovation and creative problem-solving to the Green Alliance framework, which builds upon more than 75 years of friendship between the United States and Pakistan: “From the Green Revolution of the 1960s to today’s U.S.-Pakistan Green Alliance, we have forged a partnership that has weathered many challenges and become stronger. The past year has been a testament to the breadth of our relationship, with productive dialogues on health, the environment, energy security, and counterterrorism that strengthened our joint efforts to combat serious threats.” As we celebrate the anniversary of U.S. independence, we do so recognizing the importance of partners like Pakistan. Through our long-standing relationship and joint efforts through initiatives like the Green Alliance framework, we embrace the power of collaboration and acknowledge that we can achieve far more together than we can alone.

UN LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN, CALLING FOR RENEWED GLOBAL AMBITION Dr. Jassim Taqui DG, Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad July 7, 2023: The United Nations, today, is kicking off a communications campaign to rally for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the roadmap for people and planet adopted by world leaders in 2015. Ahead of a critical UN Summit in September, the campaign aims to amplify an urgent call for ambitious new action, showcase the Goals as the blueprint for sustainable progress globally, and galvanize the global public around this shared agenda for our common future. At halftime toward the deadline of 2030, the promise of the SDGs is in peril. For the first time in decades, development progress is reversing under the combined impacts of climate disasters, conflict, economic downturn and lingering COVID-19 effects. The 2023 SDG Summit will gather world leaders at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 18-19 September to reaffirm their collective commitments to the Goals and the promise to leave no one behind. This Summit is a defining moment to urgently put the world back on track to achieving the SDGs. Starting today, in a major digital activation across platforms and countries worldwide, the UN campaign aims to re-energize the conversation about the Goals. “We want to get everyone on board for the SDGs”, said Nanette Braun, Director of Campaigns in the UN Department for Global Communications. “Our hope is that decision-makers and individual citizens alike will feel inspired to join the conversation and contribute to achieving the Goals with new resolve and ambition.” Building off the color wheel brand of the SDGs, the campaign uses a dynamic new visual system for its messaging to build momentum, raise awareness and mobilize accelerated action for the SDGs.