ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President, Dr. Arif Alvi, reiterated his vision for a world order characterized by active public participation and commitment to moral principles.
Speaking at the inaugural plenary session, themed “Navigating the Road to Recovery, Resilience, and Optimism,” during the 26th Sustainable Development Conference organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), the president raised questions about the effectiveness of the Westphalian model in fostering global peace. He also criticized what he perceived as double standards in the international approach to conflicts.
\
The conference, titled “Light at the End of the Tunnel: Hope in Times of Despair,” gathered diplomats, think tanks, researchers, and academics. President Alvi highlighted the need for a paradigm shift, emphasizing the importance of public involvement and moral values in shaping a more just and sustainable world.
Pakistan’s President Highlights Double Standards in Global Conflict
President Alvi said that around $10 trillion had been spent on “weapons of mutual destruction,” while just $1 trillion could address challenges such as poverty and illiteracy.
He underscored the importance of peace for sustainable development and criticized the ongoing war in Gaza, questioning its efficacy in achieving lasting solutions.
President Alvi addressed modern challenges, noting that tools like artificial intelligence, under individual control, could have far-reaching impacts. He expressed hope in human intellect, emphasizing the need for its alignment with technological advancements.
Special Assistant to PM on Human Rights and Women Empowerment, Mushaal Mullick, highlighted the interconnection between sustainable development and women’s empowerment, emphasizing women’s role as catalysts for change.
SDPI Executive Director Abid Qayyum Sulehri outlined the international participation in the conference, featuring over 200 speakers from 19 countries. Delegates will discuss strategies to navigate political and economic turmoil, uncertainty, and despair amid global crises and conflicts over the next three days.
Dr. Masoud Jarallah Al-Marri, Director General of the Islamic Organization for Food Security and Director of the Food Security Department, Ministry of Municipality and Environment, State of Qatar, also addressed the conference, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to food security and sustainable development.
