MICRO-, SMALL, AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES DAY Dr. Jassim Taqui DG, Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad June 26, 2023: The following is the message of His Excellency UNSG Antonio Guterres on the occasion of Micro, Small, and Medium Sized Enterprises Day: Micro-, small- and medium-sized businesses play a big role in economies, communities, and livelihoods around the world. They reduce unemployment, drive growth and innovation, and foster new markets and industries. Yet, they are particularly vulnerable to rising inflation and supply chain disruptions that have plagued the global economy. Enterprises owned by young people and women are some of the most at risk. The theme of this year’s Day focuses on women and young people’s entrepreneurship and resilient supply chains. We must create environments that support micro-, small- and medium-sized businesses, and drive financial inclusion, to provide equal access to markets and finance. We need to help strengthen the ability of these businesses to withstand hard times. And we need to work to build sustainable supply chains that benefit workers and respect the environment. In so doing, we harness the power of micro-, small-, and medium-sized businesses to help to reduce inequality, raise living standards, and protect communities and the environment. We support some of the world’s poorest people, and we help to drive progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Together, let’s recommit to supporting micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises in helping to make the Sustainable Development Goals a reality.

MICRO-, SMALL, AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES DAY Dr. Jassim Taqui DG, Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies Islamabad June 26, 2023: The following is the message of His Excellency UNSG Antonio Guterres on the occasion of Micro, Small, and Medium Sized Enterprises Day: Micro-, small- and medium-sized businesses play a big role in economies, communities, and livelihoods around the world. They reduce unemployment, drive growth and innovation, and foster new markets and industries. Yet, they are particularly vulnerable to rising inflation and supply chain disruptions that have plagued the global economy. Enterprises owned by young people and women are some of the most at risk. The theme of this year’s Day focuses on women and young people’s entrepreneurship and resilient supply chains. We must create environments that support micro-, small- and medium-sized businesses, and drive financial inclusion, to provide equal access to markets and finance. We need to help strengthen the ability of these businesses to withstand hard times. And we need to work to build sustainable supply chains that benefit workers and respect the environment. In so doing, we harness the power of micro-, small-, and medium-sized businesses to help to reduce inequality, raise living standards, and protect communities and the environment. We support some of the world’s poorest people, and we help to drive progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Together, let’s recommit to supporting micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises in helping to make the Sustainable Development Goals a reality.

Funds for the world’s climate hotspots neglect the needs of children Dr. Jassim Taqui DG, Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad June 24, 2023, Children are being failed by climate funding commitments, despite bearing the brunt of the climate crisis, according to a new report from members of the Children’s Environmental Rights Initiative (CERI) coalition; Plan International, Save the Children, and UNICEF. Just 2.4 percent of key global climate funds can be classified as supporting child-responsive activities, the report finds. According to UNICEF’s Children’s Climate Risk Index, more than a billion children are at extremely high risk of the impacts of the climate crisis. Maria Marshall, a 13-year-old UNICEF child advocate and climate activist from Barbados said, “Children are the future, but our future is shaped by the actions of those making decisions in the present, and our voices are not being heard. As this report shows, funding climate solutions is an obligation, but how that money is spent also matters. Children’s needs and perspectives must be included.” The study, Falling Short: addressing the climate finance gap for Children used a set of three criteria to assess if climate finance from key multilateral climate funds (MCFs) serving the UNFCCC and Paris Agreement were: addressing the distinct and heightened risks they experience from the climate crisis, strengthening the resilience of child-critical social services and empowering children as agents of change. “The findings are stark,” said Kabita Bose, Country Director at Plan International Bangladesh. “Urgent and effective investment is key to adapting to climate change and is particularly critical for children, especially girls who are highly susceptible to the short and long-term impacts. Yet current spending almost ignores children entirely – this needs to change.” The report found that out of all the money given by MCFs for climate-related projects over 17 years until March 2023, only a small portion (2.4%) met all three of the requirements which amounted to only $1.2 billion. The report also says that this number likely reflects an overestimate, meaning that even less money may have met all the requirements. “Children, especially those already affected by inequality and discrimination, have done the least to cause climate change but are most affected by it. Climate finance offers an opportunity to tackle these injustices by considering the needs and perspectives of children,” said Kelley Toole, Global Head of Climate Change at Save the Children. “This has been woefully inadequate to date but can and must change. To tackle the climate crisis, we must put child rights at the heart of our response and ensure children’s voices are heard”. While MCFs provide a relatively small share of overall climate finance, the degree to which these funds consider children matters greatly. MCFs have a vital role to play in agenda-setting, and in catalyzing and coordinating investments by other public and private financial institutions, including at national levels, which are necessary to drive a broader change. Children are disproportionately vulnerable to water and food scarcity, water-borne diseases, and physical and psychological trauma, all of which have been linked to both extreme weather events and slow-onset climate effects. There is also evidence that changing weather patterns are disrupting children’s access to basic services such as education, healthcare, and clean drinking water.

U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Concludes the Future of Women in Energy Scholar Program Dr. Jassim Taqui DG, Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad June 24, 2023: The U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Andrew Schofer, along with Federal Secretary for Energy Rashid Mahmood Langrial and USAID Mission Director Reed Aeschliman, concluded the second cohort of the Future of Women in Energy Scholars program with a certificate distribution ceremony on June 23, 2023. The program, which was launched in 2022 in Pakistan, aims to support and inspire Pakistani women to pursue careers in the energy sector. Held in Islamabad, the ceremony featured remarks from the U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission and the Federal Secretary for Energy. “We commend the Pakistani government’s decision to increase its share of renewable energy to 60 percent by 2030. We remain committed to supporting this goal by creating opportunities for all Pakistanis, including women, to benefit from the country's inclusive growth and development,” stated Mr. Schofer. Federal Secretary for Energy Rashid Mahmood Langrial acknowledged that the United States and Pakistan have a long history of partnership in the climate and energy sectors and emphasized the important role of women in Pakistan’s economy.

Diplomatic Focus USAID and Green Alliance in Pakistan Dr. Jassim Taqui, DG, Al-bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, June 23, 2023, U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome visited Thatta, Jhimpir, and Karachi to highlight the U.S.-Pakistan “Green Alliance” framework and further strengthen the bilateral partnership between our two countries. In Jhimpir, Ambassador Blome visited the USAID-funded power grid station and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation-funded Hawa Energy Limited wind power project. The plant contributes 50 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy to Pakistan’s national grid, enough to power more than 10,000 homes. USAID support for power transmission infrastructure has also enabled 780 MW of wind power to flow to Pakistan’s power grid. He also visited the Center for Advanced Studies in Water at Mehran University of Engineering and Technology – initially established through a $12 million cooperative agreement between Mehran University and USAID – where he discussed the partnerships between U.S. and Pakistani universities that strengthen research in water and environment-related fields. As part of the U.S.-Pakistan “Green Alliance” framework, the United States is working with partners throughout Pakistan to support clean energy and sustainable water management in the country. “I’m incredibly pleased to be able to travel through Sindh province today and meet with our partners supporting the U.S.-Pakistan ‘Green Alliance’ framework,” said Ambassador Blome. “This trip is a chance to see and highlight U.S. investment in the region, and how it is focused on supporting Pakistan as it strengthens climate resilience, pursues energy transformation, and fosters inclusive economic growth. The ‘Green Alliance’ framework is helping us jointly meet the climate, energy, water, and economic needs of the present and future.” During his visit to Karachi, Ambassador Blome toured a U.S. government-funded UNICEF project, where he was able to see how a solar-powered reverse osmosis desalination plant installed at the community mosque is making a positive difference in the lives of Afghan refugees and Pakistani host community members. He observed mobile nutrition screening and heard how the project is helping children and pregnant and nursing mothers from the surrounding area, which does not have a local health clinic. He also congratulated recent graduates at the Vocational Training Institute for Women, where UNHCR, through U.S. funding, supports skills training for Afghan refugees and Pakistani host community women. Ambassador Blome also visited Makli Necropolis, one of the largest historic burial grounds in the world. He visited the site with the Sindh Minister of Culture and a representative of the Heritage Foundation to see the results of the $260,000 Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) project to preserve and stabilize the 400-year-old tombs of Sultan Ibrahim and Amir Sultan Muhammad, two of the most prominent structures at Makli Hill. During the past 20 years, the AFCP has provided $7.1 million to support 32 projects conserving, preserving, and restoring Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage. Ambassador Blome also toured the National Museum of Pakistan, including galleries highlighting sites in Sindh and Balochistan. The visit to the National Museum was an opportunity to show the United States' appreciation for Pakistan’s history and for the Ambassador to learn more about AFCP sites in Karachi’s consular district.

U.S. Embassy Increases Diversity of Pakistan’s Entrepreneurial Leaders Dr. Jassim Taqui DG, Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad June 22, 2023: The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, in partnership with the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) as hosts, organized the grand finale event for “Rising Stars of Pakistan,” a startup competition for women and minority entrepreneurs. In his opening remarks at the event, Deputy Chief of Mission Andrew Schofer said, “The U.S. Mission to Pakistan is proud to be part of cultivating a vibrant ecosystem of entrepreneurship in Pakistan and empowering young people to dream big, take risks, and become the job creators and change-makers that Pakistan needs.” Since 2012, the U.S. Embassy has funded over 181 entrepreneurship-related projects valued at 14.7 million dollars. Schofer was joined by Pro-Rector NUST, Dr. Rizwan Riaz who acknowledged the efforts of the U.S. government in supporting entrepreneurial activities in Pakistan. Dr. Riaz, expressed appreciation for the ongoing collaboration between the U.S. Embassy and NUST to foster diversity and inclusion, and to increase the presence of diverse leaders in the entrepreneurial sector in Pakistan that contribute to Pakistan’s long-term economic growth. More than 800 emerging startups competed throughout the various stages of the competition, resulting in an opportunity for the top-26 emerging entrepreneurs to travel to Islamabad to present their ideas at the grand finale event. The finalists include 23 women, two men, and one transgender person. The finalists represented a range of religious and ethnic backgrounds, highlighting the competition's commitment to promoting inclusion and fostering a diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem. The top three business ideas were awarded seed financing in the amounts of PKR 1 million, PKR 700,000, and PKR 500,000, respectively. Sponsored by U.S. Embassy Islamabad, the “Rising Stars of Pakistan” has been a collaboration between NUST and California-based Draper University, and included Pakistani American experts based in Silicon Valley as mentors for the emerging Pakistani founders.

UNITED NATIONS PUBLIC SERVICE DAY Dr. Jassim Taqui DG, Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad June 22, 2023: The message of the UNSG His Excellency Antonio Guterres on the occasion of UN Public Service Day: Today, on United Nations Public Service Day, we pay tribute to the women and men around the world who are answering the highest call: public service. This year’s celebration arrives at the halfway point of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Public servants and the institutions they support will be increasingly critical as the world accelerates action toward the Sustainable Development Goals, which are badly off track. Technology must be at the heart of this acceleration. Every day, new technologies emerge that hold the potential to change the way we live and work. When harnessed by an informed, skilled, and equipped public service, technology can improve the reach and effectiveness of public services, while driving progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. As we mark this important day, let us celebrate the work of public servants worldwide, and find new ways to apply innovation to our work to shape a better, more sustainable future for all people.

U.S. Ambassador Blome’s Visit to Gomal Zam Dam Dr. Jassim Taqui DG, Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad June 21, 2023: U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome today visited the multi-purpose Gomal Zam Dam in the South Waziristan District of the Newly Merged Districts (NMDs) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He was accompanied by the Chairman of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Lt. General (retired) Sajjad Ghani, and the Secretary of the Agriculture Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Muhammad Javed Marwat. The dam is a joint project of the governments of the United States and Pakistan that has yielded remarkable outcomes. Under the U.S.-Pakistan “Green Alliance” framework, our two countries are working together to advance water management, clean energy, and climate-smart agriculture initiatives. This single project has doubled agricultural production in the region by opening 191,000 additional acres for local farmers. It has also controlled potential flood damage for over 30,000 households, dramatically increased Pakistan’s national water storage capacity, and provided electricity for 20,000 homes. “We are immensely proud of our $130 million collaboration with the Government of Pakistan on the Gomal Zam Multi-purpose Project, including the dam, irrigation infrastructure, and direct support to surrounding communities,” said Ambassador Blome. Gomal Zam Dam, the third-largest water storage facility in Pakistan, after the U.S.-funded Tarbela and Mangla Dams, is a critical piece of infrastructure in Pakistan’s strategy for climate change management and overall food security. With the generation of additional 17 megawatts of hydropower, the dam provides a reliable, clean energy source and empowers farmers to improve their socioeconomic conditions. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) invested $130 million in the dam, irrigation infrastructure, and agriculture development components. The Government of Pakistan and the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provided an equal contribution toward the project cost.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA Dr. Jassim Taqui DG, Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad June 21, 2023: The following is the message of the UNSG His Excellency Antonio Guterres on the International Day of Yoga: Yoga unites. It unites body and mind, humanity and nature, and millions of people across the globe, for whom it is a source of strength, harmony, and peace. In a dangerous and divided world, the benefits of this ancient practice are particularly precious. Yoga offers a haven of calm. It can reduce anxiety and promote mental well-being. It helps us to develop discipline and patience. It connects us to our planet, which so badly needs our protection. And it reveals our common humanity – helping us to understand that despite our differences, we are one. On this International Day of Yoga, let us embrace the spirit of unity, and resolve to build a better, more harmonious world for people, planet, and ourselves.

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

Islamabad June 20, 2023: The following is the message of the UNSG His Excellency Antonio Guterres on the occasion of World Refugee Day: During my decade as UN High Commissioner for Refugees, I witnessed the resilience and contributions of refugees across all walks of life. Their perseverance in the face of adversity inspires me every day. Refugees represent the very best of the human spirit. They need and deserve support and solidarity — not closed borders and pushbacks. As we mark World Refugee Day, we confront a startling statistic. More than 100 million people living in countries rocked by conflict, persecution, hunger, and climate chaos have been forced to flee their homes. These are not numbers on a page. These are individual women, children, and men making difficult journeys — often facing violence, exploitation, discrimination, and abuse. This Day reminds us of our duty to protect and support refugees — and our obligation to open more avenues of support. This includes solutions to resettle refugees and help them rebuild their lives with dignity. We need greater international support for host countries, as called for by the Global Compact for Refugees, to boost access to quality education, decent work, health care, housing, and social protection. And we need much stronger political will to make peace, so refugees can return safely to their homes. This year’s theme is “Hope Away from Home.” I call on the world to harness the hope that refugees carry in their hearts. Let’s match their courage with the opportunities they need, every step of the way.