Pakistan all set to integrate GDI into growth agenda

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is well-positioned to integrate China’s Global Development Initiative (GDI) into its development framework through a wide-ranging multi-stakeholder programme aimed at aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strengthening bilateral cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The GDI, championed by China to accelerate progress toward the 2030 SDG targets, focuses on eight priority areas including poverty alleviation, climate resilience, digital innovation, and green growth.

Pakistan’s deep strategic and economic ties with China, especially in infrastructure and energy, position it well to benefit from and contribute to this initiative.

The programme seeks to make GDI a visible and action-oriented platform within Pakistan’s policy, academic, and youth spheres.

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Key objectives include engaging parliamentarians and policymakers through high-level consultations, embedding GDI into national discourse, and securing cross-sectoral political commitment for its implementation.

To raise public awareness, campaigns should be launched to familiarise citizens with GDI as a model for innovation, inclusion, and sustainable development. Organisers also aim to highlight the alignment between GDI goals, Pakistan’s Vision 2025, and the broader SDG agenda.

Youth and academia form another core pillar of the initiative. GDI-focused research hubs should be established in universities, promote student-led engagement, and integrate development themes into academic curricula. These efforts will foster local ownership and long-term continuity of the programme.

The proposed national programme will prioritise climate resilience, digital development, financial literacy, and support for green enterprises, with a view to mobilising local and international partnerships for implementation.

Additionally, the initiative recognises global security dimensions, framing GDI as a means to address the root causes of instability – such as poverty, resource scarcity, and environmental risks – while promoting regional peace and multilateral cooperation.

Policymakers have also called for coherence between the GDI agenda and national resilience frameworks, particularly in areas like disaster response, cyber-security, and displacement driven by climate change.

Experts say the integration of GDI into Pakistan’s national framework could mark a significant step toward inclusive development, while reinforcing the country’s strategic alignment with China’s global vision for sustainable growth.