LEAD for SDGs Localisation in Pakistan Programme conducts Quarterly Meeting of Provincial Alliance Sindh
Follow-up & Finalization of the Content & Action Plan for the Provincial Alliance, Local Councils Association Sindh, the European Union and United Cities and Local Governments – Asia Pacific arranged the meeting.
Karachi (Monday, March 07, 2022) It is indispensable to come together in the forums where experts from diverse fields will be sharing their suggestions to accelerate the process of monitoring and localizing the Sustainable Development Goals in Sindh, said President Local Councils Association Sindh, Mr. Syed Kumail Hyder Shah.
In the heart of Sindh, the Quarterly Meeting for Provincial Alliance Sindh on SDGs was organized to foster enabling environment for the local development of Sustainable Development Goals in Sindh, under the Local Empowerment Advocacy and Development (LEAD) for SDGs – Localisation in Pakistan Programme implemented by the Local Councils Association Sindh (LCAS) with the support of the European Union (EU) and the United Cities and Local Governments – Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC). The President LCAS, Syed Kumail Hyder Shah greeted newly joined members of Provincial Alliance Sindh on SDGs.
Stakeholders from around 26 different areas such as civil society organizations, private sector, academia, research institutions, bar associations, media, local councils associations, community leaders, and representatives from district administration gathered to follow up on the last quarter and formulate the action plan for future course of activities related to policy advocacy, awareness and capacity building regarding prioritised SDGs in Sindh.
The technical and advocacy support of all the stakeholders will bring fruitful outcomes and extensive growth for achieving the agenda 2030 all over Pakistan, said Ms. Fiza Pitafi, Coordinator, LCAS while informing the participants of the objectives of the meeting and officially starting the agenda items.
Team Leader, LEAD for SDGs Localisation in Pakistan Programme, Mr. Anwar Hussain tabled the proposed scope of future awareness activities for prioritised SDGs far and wide in Sindh. He specifically mentioned that most of the time it is the issue of awareness and technical knowledge, as Government and Civil Society organisations are working hard on different areas of SDGs, but they are derived from the mechanism of monitoring and reporting on SDGs.
Mr. Anwar and Mr Azeem Channa, Ex. Station Director of Radio Pakistan, Sindh shared with participants the drafted plan of the Radio Awareness Campaign on SDGs across Sindh. The Radio Awareness Campaign rundown is set on the necessary and untouched discussion areas regarding SDGs.
Mr. Aijaz Khuwaja, Consultant LEAD for SDGs Localisation in Pakistan Programme shared the prioritised areas of work established as per the research conducted on the gaps for localisation of SDGs in Sindh Province for the development of Policy Briefs. An open discussion provided an opportunity for the participants on sharing their input on the prioritisation of two issues for the development of policy briefs work on.
Deputy Director of the Local Government Department, Mr. Azeem Channa said these forums develop effective leadership of local governments to work on a material basis for the localisation of SGDs.
The institutional capacity building is necessary to train the staff of government and other stakeholders, so they can understand the mechanism of reporting, and drafting policy frameworks for implementing SDGs at the local level, said Mr. Salem Jalbani, Chief Development and Environment, Planning and Development Department. Govt of Sindh.
Mr. Aslam Shiekh, Convener LCAS highly appreciated the efforts of the LEAD for SDGs Localisation in Pakistan Programme and agreed to remain committed to the cause of localising SDGs at the local level.
While signing off the meeting all the participants praised the unique initiatives arranged by the partner organisations of LCAS, EU and UCLG-ASPAC under the LEAD for SDGs Localisation in Pakistan Programme.
