KARACHI: Aligning investments with climate resilience, inclusive growth and financing sustainable development were underscored at the high-level plenary participated by United Nations Development Programme, Nestlé Pakistan, The World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund at the 28th Sustainable Development Conference by Sustainable Development Policy Institute.
Talking on the occasion, Jason Avanceña, Chief Executive Officer, Nestlé Pakistan said, “Financing sustainable development demands innovative mechanisms that blend public, private, and multilateral resources together. The challenge lies in ensuring equitable access to capital while aligning investments with climate resilience and inclusive growth,” he said, while acknowledging Nestlé’s recognition at the conference’s sustainability awards for championing the cause of renewable energy and low carbon transitions, in line with UN SDGs 13 and 15.
“Nestlé is leading the sustainability agenda and finding solutions for climate change and a more sustainable future, through our investments in renewable energy, circularity for a waste free future, and regenerative agriculture to help protect, renew, and restore the environment,” said Jason Avanceña, CEO Nestlé Pakistan, adding that Nestlé is committed to reduce its emissions and reach Net Zero by 2050.
Highlighting UNDP’s perspective, Dr Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative UNDP said, “Chances of collective action are greater when all stakeholders play their part – with the government as the primary driver. Pakistan requires an estimated USD50–60 billion by 2030 to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and innovative financing must be co-designed, pre-arranged, risk-managed, and blended to effectively mobilize these resources.”
Talking on the occasion, Dr Mahir Binici, Resident Representative of International Monetary Fund, said, “The IMF truly recognizes the environment related shocks as macro-critical challenges that directly affect economic activity and growth. This recognition by our institution has paved the way for climate related reforms that have been supported by the IMF Resilience Sustainability Facility which is meant to enhance resilience to climate shocks and Pakistan will be integrating climate resilience in major projects.”
Talking about resilience to macroeconomic shocks, Bolormaa Amgaabazar, Country Director, The World Bank Group said that the ten-year Country Partnership Framework that WB has planned has heavy emphasis on human development. “The main thrust of our engagement is actually on human development areas such as stunting that has lifelong repercussions it needs intervention from different sectors such as clean drinking water, hygiene, behavioural change, nutrition, food availability – so this is one of the three pillars of our focus for us under CPF.”
High-level plenary moderated by Dr Abid Suleri, Executive Director SDPI, also highlighted how collective action with public and private stakeholders can accelerate efforts towards mitigating impact of climate change, ensuring that food systems continue to nourish people for generations to come.
Nestlé Pakistan won multiple recognitions at the 28th Sustainable Development Conference & Sustainability Investment Expo, including the Best Stall Award that showcased its sustainability initiatives, as well as one for championing the cause of renewable energy and low carbon transitions.
Nestlé’s investments in Pakistan reflect the deep confidence in the country’s potential. The company is committed to be a force for good throughout its value chain for the future of the country, by boosting investment in renewable energy, regenerative agriculture and sustainability initiatives in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Copyright media, 2025
American Dollar Exchange Rate