The world must move beyond words and excuses and take immediate action to address systemic shortcomings and the funding needs of developing countries if the SDGs are to be achieved by 2030. Accelerating Pakistan’s national efforts will improve the wellbeing of the nation and its citizens. Now is the time for all stakeholders to act urgently to rescue and accelerate the SDGs to ensure no one is left behind.

On October 24, 2023, the United Nations (UN) will celebrate its 78th birthday. Pakistan joined as a Member State on September 30, 1947, just a few weeks after achieving independence, to commit to multilateralism and the fundamental principles of the UN. The UN remains the only truly global forum where all 193 Member States can make their voices heard. For Pakistan, membership of the UN has been an enduring and mutually supportive relationship for 76 years and is increasingly relevant in a rapidly changing and uncertain world.
Pakistan's relationship with the UN is multi-faceted, internationally and at home. Pakistan's permanent missions in New York and Geneva, representation in UN specialised agencies and organisations, and participation in numerous UN international forums, including the annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), form the nucleus of engagement. Pakistan has also served seven terms as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, contributing to solutions for the world's most challenging security issues. Pakistan's longstanding, consistent and distinguished role in UN peacekeeping with more than 219,000 Pakistani military and police, both men and women, deployed in 46 missions over six decades, is well known and highly respected internationally.

The UN has a significant presence in Pakistan and is committed to supporting Government objectives to meet humanitarian and development challenges. Twenty UN specialised agencies, many of which have been here for many years, operate under a Host Country Agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Each agency has a specific mandate covering diverse sectors, including agriculture, food security, social protection, population, health, education, climate and environment, labour rights, water and sanitation, refugees and migration, prevention of drugs and crime, women's empowerment, and economic development, with attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) being a common element. The contributions of these agencies is extensive and immeasurably valuable to the people of Pakistan. (See endnote to explore more about individual UN agencies, their mandates, and programmes.)^1,2 
Currently, 3607 people work for the UN in Pakistan. Over 91 percent of personnel are Pakistanis, recruited through very competitive processes to select the most qualified and talented from the many high-quality applications from all over the country. Working on humanitarian and development projects across the country, in offices and the field, often in challenging environments, their skills, knowledge, expertise, and local and cultural understanding are critical to building effective UN programmes for the nation's people.
Working for the UN is an aspiration for many worldwide, and a growing number of young Pakistanis see this as a career that will contribute positively to the future of Pakistan while working in an international and multicultural environment. Undoubtedly, the UN's bureaucratic practices can be overwhelming, but strict rules are essential for transparency and accountability for all who serve. As careers develop through continuous learning, experience, and hard work, there are opportunities for overseas visits to speak at conferences, attend courses, and possibly international postings. Numerous Pakistanis are now working in the UN system in many countries across the globe, helping communities in some of the world's most challenging environments.^3,4

International UN professionals comprise the remaining 9 percent of UN staff in Pakistan, with just over 300 here at any one time. Selected from their parent agencies in intensive application processes, most are posted for an average of three years. The internationals bring extensive management, technical expertise, programme, and field experience from within the global UN system to build local teams' capacities and enhance linkages to the UN's international networks. A posting in Pakistan is memorable for many reasons–the demanding scope and complexities of work, the generous hospitality of local people, and the opportunity to explore the country's rich cultural and scenic diversity. For all UN staff working in Pakistan, be they international or national, there is immense pride in contributing to initiatives that directly affect the lives of millions of people.
The United Nations in Pakistan is probably most visible during major disasters like the 2005 earthquake and the 2010 and 2022 floods. In every phase of these disasters, UN agencies have supported Government efforts, working with all stakeholders, including I/NGO partners, bilateral and multilateral donors, communities, and on occasions alongside the military, all with one aim–to serve the people of Pakistan. 
There is no doubt that the UN in Pakistan will continue to provide humanitarian assistance wherever possible. However, in recent years, the increasing number of crises resulting from disasters and conflicts around the world has been overwhelming the ability of the UN and donors to meet the massive funding needs of so many countries, including Pakistan. Global planning has shifted towards building resilience against shocks by focusing on sustainable development. The introduction of the UN SDGs 2015-2030, adopted by all 193 Member States of the UN, has facilitated that shift. The SDGs provide the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. Pakistan affirmed its commitment to the SDGs, adopting them as the national development agenda through a unanimous National Assembly Resolution in 2016. The SDGs is now the cornerstone of planning for Government and UN agencies in Pakistan. 
The 17 Goals interconnect to every aspect of life on the planet. Each of the 17 SDGs has between 8 to 12 targets with 118 in total.⁵ Alarmingly, at the halfway point in 2023, the world is not on track for 2030. Pakistan ranks 128th out of 166 countries on the Global SDG Index 2023, scoring 59 per cent. This score indicates that Pakistan falls short of the desired standard to achieve the SDGs. However, Pakistan is not the only country struggling to meet its commitments. Unless countries take corrective action, the Asia-Pacific region will miss 90 per cent of the 118 measurable SDG targets by 2030. Globally, only 15 per cent of the SDG targets are on track.
On September 18 and 19, 2023, the Sustainable Development Goals Summit was held in New York as an opening session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), the annual gathering of global leaders. Marking the halfway point of the 2030 SDG Agenda, the Summit focused on getting the world back on track to meet its obligations despite the impact of multiple and interlocking crises. 
In an impassioned speech to open the Summit, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, said, "Only 15 percent of the targets are on track and many are going in reverse. Instead of leaving no one behind, we risk leaving the SDGs behind. The SDGs need a global rescue plan. They are linked to the hopes, dreams, rights and expectations of people everywhere." The Secretary-General noted six targeted areas where urgent transitions were needed, namely, food systems; energy access and affordability; digital connectivity; education; jobs and social protection; and climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
On a more positive note, the Secretary-General said, "I am deeply encouraged by the detailed and wide-ranging draft political declaration under discussion here today, especially its commitment to improving developing countries' access to the fuel required for SDG progress: finance. This includes clear support for an SDG stimulus of at least USD 500 billion a year and an effective debt-relief mechanism that supports payment suspensions, longer lending terms, and lower rates. It includes a call to re-capitalise and change the business model of Multilateral Development Banks so they can massively leverage private finance at affordable rates to benefit developing countries." 
Leaders of Member States, including Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister, Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, strongly supported the need for reforming the international financial architecture, including the financial institutions and the global trade system, as vital to ensuring adequate means of implementation to achieve the SDGs. Sovereign debt, impeding the ability of developing countries to invest in their development, was raised along with the need for a resolution mechanism. At the conclusion of the two-day SDG Summit, world leaders adopted the political declaration to ramp up progress to achieve the 17 goals.
These are all critical issues for all developing countries, including Pakistan. In the times of economic instability, access to funding for development becomes extremely challenging and slows progress almost to a standstill. At the UNGA "Climate Ambition Summit", Prime Minister Kakar again joined other leaders in pushing for the fulfilment of the pledge of developed nations to provide over USD 100 billion annually in climate finance for developing countries, half of which will go towards climate adaptation and the urgent launch of "loss and damage" fund. He emphasised the urgency of providing climate justice for Pakistan and other vulnerable countries while highlighting some of Pakistan's own actions to address Climate Change, including the National Adaptation Plan and the Living Indus Initiative.

The United Nations in Pakistan is probably most visible during major disasters like the 2005 earthquake and the 2010 and 2022 floods. In every phase of these disasters, UN agencies have supported Government efforts, working with all stakeholders, including I/NGO partners, bilateral and multilateral donors, communities, and on occasions alongside the military, all with one aim–to serve the people of Pakistan. 

Prime Minister Kakar met privately with the UN Secretary-General who expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s support for the work of the United Nations, including UN peacekeeping operations and its commitment to the sustainable development goals.  They also exchanged views on developments in the region, including in Afghanistan, and on other issues of common concern. The Prime Minister thanked the Secretary-General for his advocacy in the aftermath of the 2022 floods, including co-hosting the International Donors Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan in Geneva in January 2023. 

Unless countries take corrective action, the Asia-Pacific region will miss 90 per cent of the 118 measurable SDG targets by 2030. Globally, only 15 per cent of the SDG targets are on track.

Pakistan faces formidable challenges to achieving the SDGs and cannot do it alone. Continued engagement with the UN and international community for support is imperative. Key issues hindering SDG progress in Pakistan are, in many ways, similar to other countries in terms of the impacts of global events but the devastating floods of 2022 have added to the country's woes. However, the challenges inhibiting progress in achieving the SDGs cannot be attributed only to these issues. The underlying problems are more profound, longstanding, and complex and must be addressed in entirety.
All UN agencies working in Pakistan are united in supporting the Government to find pathways through this maze of challenges to accelerate the SDGs. The  United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-2027 for Pakistan⁶ is a compact between the UN and the Government of Pakistan that is nationally owned and reflects national development priorities. It represents a collective framework of UN support for sustainable development in Pakistan through a set of outcomes to be achieved jointly between 2023 and 2027. This overarching framework aims to ensure the coherent, integrated and streamlined achievement of development results by UN agencies, working together under the leadership of the empowered United Nations Resident Coordinator and the United Nations Country Team. 
Given the wide-reaching ambitions of the SDG targets and slow progress to date, the UNSDCF zeroes in on five key targets, which will catalyse all other targets to expedite progress. The five targets were identified using artificial intelligence and systems analysis by development experts working on the Integrated SDG Push Insight Report for Pakistan,⁷ an initiative carried out by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the agencies, funds and programmes of the UN Country Team in Pakistan (UNCT). This analysis has recently been enriched by recent SDG Dialogues led by the UN Resident Coordinator (RCO) and the RCO team, and heads of UN agencies, with over 1,000 civil society leaders in 12 secondary cities: Bahawalpur, Multan, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mardan, Mansehra, Quetta, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Gilgit, and Mirpur. 
So, what are the five SDG targets and transformative outcomes that will have the required catalytic effect on all other targets to accelerate development?

Prime Minister Kakar again joined other leaders in pushing for the fulfilment of the pledge of developed nations to provide over USD 100 billion annually in climate finance for developing countries, half of which will go towards climate adaptation and the urgent launch of "loss and damage" fund. 

SDG target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including on floods, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
The Government of Pakistan has made substantial progress towards this target with the Benazir Income Support Programme, including the Nashonuma nutrition programme. Increasing these programmes should be considered.
Target supported by UNSDCF Outcome 1: Basic Social Services, and Outcome 4: Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment.
SDG target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries.
Investment in sectors with high growth potential is vital to reduce poverty and ensure development. Such investment needs to be inclusive and sustainable. Decent work must be available equally for men and women, minorities, and Pakistan's poorest people.
Target supported by UNSDCF Outcome 4: Sustainable, Inclusive Economic Growth.
SDG target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, focusing on affordable and equitable access for all.
The most critical infrastructure in Pakistan is not man-made; rather, it is the Indus River system and its Basin, on which 95 percent of Pakistan's population and the majority of its agriculture and industry depend. However, climate change, biodiversity loss, and increasing pollution rapidly erode this green, natural infrastructure. The Government's Living Indus initiative has identified 25 preliminary interventions, focusing on nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation approaches, reflecting a holistic and sustainable approach to addressing the climate crisis. Focusing on protecting, conserving and restoring natural ecosystems, including terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems, is crucial for climate resilience and the overall well-being of the people and the environment.
Target supported by UNSDCF Outcome 3: Climate Change and the Environment.

Accelerating Pakistan’s national efforts will improve the wellbeing of the nation and its citizens. Now is the time for all stakeholders to act urgently to rescue and accelerate the SDGs to ensure no one is left behind.

SDG target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
Most of Pakistan's most vulnerable citizens and inhabitants do not have housing security–they live on marginal land without tenure and, therefore, cannot invest in their own homes. Ensuring safe and affordable housing is a cornerstone for resilient communities. Investments in this area will also contribute to climate resilience. The Sindh People Housing Fund is a significant step in correcting this situation. This initiative needs to be expanded to other provinces, increased in scale, and complemented with basic social services.
Target supported by UNSDCF Outcome 1: Basic Social Services, and Outcome 3: Climate Change and the Environment.
SDG target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
Building effective, accountable and transparent institutions is fundamental to building trust between citizens and governments. The Government that most of Pakistan's people engage with is local. As such, it is critical that the Government at the district, union council (UC) and tehsil levels, both elected and appointed, is given the capacity and mandate to bring together local stakeholders to implement a shared development vision.
Target supported by supported by UNSDCF Outcome 5: Governance.
All Member States of the United Nations agree that the Sustainable Development Goals are the key to peace, progress, and prosperity, but words are meaningless without action. The world must move beyond words and excuses and take immediate action to address systemic shortcomings and the funding needs of developing countries if the SDGs are to be achieved by 2030. Accelerating Pakistan’s national efforts will improve the wellbeing of the nation and its citizens. Now is the time for all stakeholders to act urgently to rescue and accelerate the SDGs to ensure no one is left behind.

The writer is an Australian Disaster Management and Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Advisor who lives in Islamabad. She consults for Government and UN agencies and has previously worked at both ERRA and NDMA. 
E-mail: [email protected]

1.   “United Nations in Pakistan.” n.d. Pakistan.un.org. https://pakistan.un.org/en. 
2.   “Un Entities | United Nations in Pakistan.” n.d. Pakistan.un.org. https://pakistan.un.org/en/about/un-entities-in-country. 
3.   “UN Careers.” 2019. Un.org. 2019. https://careers.un.org/lbw/Home.aspx. 
4.   Nations, United. n.d. “#Work4UN: Basic Facts about Working for the United Nations.” United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/academic-impact/work4un-basic-facts-about-working-united-nations. 
5.   United Nations. 2015. “The 17 Sustainable Development Goals.” United Nations. 2015. https://sdgs.un.org/goals. 
6.   United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023-2027 for Pakistan (the detailed five-year work plan between the UN and the Government of Pakistan' signed by the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) in 2022)-Full Document Download available at  https://pakistan.un.org/sites/default/files/2022-11/Pakistan_UNSDCF_Final.pdf
7.   “Pakistan-PAK.” n.d. Sdgpush-Insights.undp.org. Accessed September 25, 2023. https://sdgpush-insights.undp.org/reports/pak.