Islamabad, On November 21, 2023, Islamabad commemorated World Cities Day with a seminar titled “Financing Sustainable Urban Future for All,” organized by UN-Habitat in collaboration with Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU). The event, held at AIOU’s Department of Nutritional Science & Environmental Design, gathered experts to discuss sustainable urban development, emphasizing the importance of cities in shaping future urban landscapes.
According to a UN-Habitat, the seminar featured prominent speakers, including Mr. Jawed Ali Khan, Country Program Manager at UN-Habitat Pakistan; Ar. Gul Najam Jamy, Senior Consultant at The World Bank Pakistan; Prof. Dr. Irshad Ahmad Arshad, Dean Faculty of Sciences at AIOU; Dr. Muhammad Latif Gondal, Director of ORIC at AIOU; and Prof. Dr. Nasir Mehmood, Vice Chancellor of AIOU. Prof. Dr. Hajra Ahmad, welcoming the participants, highlighted the critical role cities play in global development and the collective responsibility to foster inclusive, sustainable urban environments.
The seminar addressed various dimensions of urban development. A video message from Executive Director Maimoona Mohd. Sharif underscored the need for a new financing framework to support sustainable urban development, with a focus on integrated planning and the recognition of shelter and housing as fundamental human rights.
Mr. Najam Jamy’s presentation explored the economic contributions of cities to Pakistan’s economy, outlining the challenges posed by government regulations and institutional fragmentation. He emphasized the need for better infrastructure, financial sustainability, and less vertical programming to unleash cities’ potential as growth engines.
Mr. Jawed Ali Khan discussed the challenges and opportunities in financing a sustainable urban future, advocating for financial decentralization and the empowerment of municipal financing. He cited Karachi’s significant contribution to the country’s revenue and called for investment in cities for mutual benefits. Khan proposed introducing academic courses to engage youth in economic advancement, with UN-Habitat’s support for discussions on strengthening urban and rural economies.
Prof. Dr. Irshad Ahmad Arshad expressed AIOU’s commitment to sustainable development through research and teaching aligned with several Sustainable Development Goals. He showcased the university’s efforts and rankings in these areas, demonstrating its dedication to impactful sustainability initiatives.
Dr. Muhammad Latif Gondal concluded the seminar by emphasizing the need to acknowledge political constraints and advance climate-smart initiatives. He called for collaboration between communities and academia to ensure that research and initiatives meet the country’s developmental needs.