- U.S. President Presents $2.9 Billion Global Fund; calls to negotiate the debts of vulnerable nations
- Prime Minister Shehbaz shares his concern about the consequences of the floods
As Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday urged the international community. Shehbaz urged to remain committed to Islamabad. As it struggles to recover from the devastating effects of this season’s unprecedented floods. US President Joe Biden made a fervent appeal to the world to help Pakistan deal with the devastation of the recent floods. He appealed in his speech to the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
The U.S. president also called for action to address the climate change crisis. He announced a $2.9 billion fund to support life-saving humanitarian and food security help around the world for this year alone. Biden also suggested “transparently negotiating” the debts of vulnerable nations to avoid broader economic and political crises around the world.
“Much of Pakistan is still underwater and needs help,” the US leader said while highlighting the impact of climate change on the world.
“Families are faced with impossible choices, choosing which child to feed and wondering if they will survive,” he said. “This is the human cost of climate change. And it’s growing, not decreasing.”
On Tuesday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged world leaders to help Pakistan deal with its debts.
Taking a step in the same direction, President Biden called on “major global creditors. It is including non-Paris Club countries. It was to transparently negotiate debt forgiveness for low-income countries to avoid broader economic and political crises around the world.”
He said that instead of infrastructure projects that “generate hugely, large debt without meeting promised advantages”, consider other ways to help developing nations.
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“Let’s meet the enormous infrastructure needs around the world with transparent investments. The high-level projects that protect workers’ rights and the environment. Let’s find the key to the needs of the communities they serve, not the taxpayer.”
PM’s engagements
Sharif shared his concerns about the consequences of the floods. he met with world leaders on the second day of his four-day visit to New York to attend the 77th session of the UN General Assembly. This included the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva. Their talks focused on the IMF’s “continued support” for Pakistan’s efforts to rebuild its economy.
Next up was U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry. Prime Minister Shehbaz took the opportunity to convey Pakistan’s “gratitude for immediate U.S. assistance in the wake of the devastating floods in Pakistan,” an official statement said.
Special Envoy Kerry expressed solidarity with the people and government of Pakistan. He reaffirmed the U.S. administration’s continued support for dealing with the floods. The United States, he said, was ready to engage with Pakistan in rebuilding resilient infrastructure. He would also support Islamabad’s effort to avert such crises in the future.
Later, World Bank Group President David Malpass also called Mr. Sharif in New York. They discussed the World Bank’s continued engagement with Pakistan to strengthen its infrastructure, agriculture, rural and urban development, social services, and economic growth.
Mr. Malpass stressed that priority should be given to Pakistan. Pakistan needs resilient reconstruction through the collective support of the international community. He also expressed the World Bank’s readiness to support Pakistan. Pakistan requires reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts. Mr. Malpass pledged to reuse $850 million immediately to help Pakistan with its flood relief efforts.
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken also met with the prime minister. Anthony Blinken expressed sympathy for flood victims. He assured him of the U.S. commitment to supporting Pakistan at this difficult time.
Prime Minister Sharif had a meeting with Csaba Korosi, Chair of the 77th session of the UNGA. Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the importance of a comprehensive reform of the UN Security Council. He underlined the need to continue transparent, consultative, and constructive intergovernmental negotiations. That all would respond to the positions and expectations of all member states.
He also expressed the support of Pakistan, in its capacity as the current Chairman of the Group of 77. He advanced the development agenda in the General Assembly and other relevant bodies and forums.
Mr. Korosi expressed his full sympathy, solidarity, and cooperation with Pakistan. He noted that the devastation related to the floods was not the work of Pakistan and deserved the support of the world. There should be a global solution to a global problem, he said.
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