Karachi: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has formed a strategic partnership with the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) to foster sustainable and inclusive growth in Pakistan. This collaboration aims to enhance gender equality, diversity, and social impact investments in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
According to United Nations Development Programme, the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing event was marked by commitments from both organizations to leverage their collective expertise. M. Abdul Aleem, CE/Secretary General of OICCI, highlighted the focus on producing impactful research reports, advocacy campaigns, and knowledge-sharing events. Dr. Samuel Rizk, UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative, commented on the increased investment attractiveness of Pakistan, emphasizing that businesses can achieve profitability while being socially responsible.
The initiatives under this partnership include advancing climate advocacy, demonstrated by OICCI’s leadership in organizing the Pakistan Climate Conference in 2022 and 2023. The insights from these conferences, along with COP28, have been distilled into vital climate reports guiding policymakers and businesses towards a more sustainable future. Furthermore, OICCI has been actively promoting women’s empowerment through its annual Women Empowerment Awards and a White Paper titled “Increasing Women’s Inclusion in the Pakistan Economy,” offering practical recommendations for boosting gender equality and inclusive economic growth.
Andrew Bailey, a member of the OICCI Managing Committee, expressed the partnership’s intention to create a conducive environment for the convergence of business, government, and public interests towards a more equitable and sustainable future. The collaboration will also focus on capacity building, policy research, advocacy, and public campaigning in areas such as green finance, climate resilience, energy, diversity and inclusion, and digital transformation. The ultimate goal is to support the government, development partners, and the private sector in mobilizing finance for development initiatives centered on SDGs, ESG, and climate investments.