Islamabad: The United Nations Habitat Programme (UN-Habitat), in collaboration with the Capital Development Authority (CDA) of Islamabad, recently conducted a two-day training program focused on integrating Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG-11) into urban planning. The initiative aims to address the challenges posed by rapid urbanization in Pakistan, particularly in enhancing sustainable development in urban areas.

According to Capital Development Authority, the event took place at the Jinnah Convention Center and the CDA Training Center, attracting over 50 officials from various government sectors. The training covered crucial aspects of SDG-11, which focuses on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Key speakers included Mr. Jawed Ali Khan, Habitat Program Manager of UN-Habitat, who opened the session by emphasizing the significance of integrating sustainable development goals into urban planning. Ms. Mio Sato, Acting UN Resident Coordinator, highlighted the critical need for localizing these goals to ensure that cities like Islamabad can achieve inclusive and sustainable growth.

Dr. Zafar Ali Zafar, Director General of Trainings at CDA, reinforced the agency’s dedication to aligning city planning with SDG-11 objectives, asserting that all CDA projects will be compliant with these goals by 2030. Discussions also touched on the global trend of Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) and how they can catalyze the localization of the SDGs through peer learning and international engagement.

Ch. Muhammad Ali Randhawa, Chairman of the CDA, in his concluding remarks, appreciated UN-Habitat’s technical support in aligning CDA’s projects with the SDGs. He outlined upcoming initiatives including the enhancement of sustainable transport systems with the introduction of electric buses and an ambitious tree-planting program aimed at combating climate change and improving urban green spaces. The training concluded with a certification ceremony for the participants, marking their commitment to advancing urban sustainability in Islamabad.

This training marks a significant step towards equipping Pakistani cities with the necessary tools and knowledge to navigate their urban development challenges effectively while fostering sustainable growth as per global standards.