Speaking at the United Nations ‘Summit of the Future,’ Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif emphasized that the world will not experience lasting peace or sustainable development without resolving conflicts like Gaza. Asif highlighted that over 41,000 Palestinians have lost their lives due to the ongoing violence in Gaza, which he referred to as a “tragedy perpetuated by the developed world.” He urged the global community to commit to finding lasting solutions to such crises, emphasizing that the international financial system needs to undergo reforms to provide better opportunities for more than 100 developing countries.
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During his address, Asif also touched on the need for bold changes, calling the summit a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to respond to global security challenges. He argued that the world’s financial institutions should provide debt relief to poorer nations and increase cooperation with developing countries, urging that reforms to the global system are necessary to meet future challenges.
Bridging the Sustainable Development Gap
The minister focused heavily on the need to address the $4 trillion financing gap hindering progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Asif underscored the importance of fulfilling longstanding commitments to Official Development Assistance (ODA) for developing countries. He emphasized the need for multilateral development banks to increase lending and called for the rechanneling of 50% of the unused 2021 allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to bridge this financial gap.
Additionally, Asif stressed the need for lowering borrowing costs for developing nations and improving their representation within international financial institutions. He advocated for a more equitable international tax regime and reforms to the sovereign debt architecture, calling these steps crucial for addressing systemic global inequalities.
Digital Divide and AI’s Role in Global Equality
Asif further elaborated on the need to address the growing digital divide between the global North and South. He stated that achieving equitable data governance and leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) would be essential in ensuring a just future. Pakistan, he said, welcomes the Global Digital Compact’s outcomes and remains committed to preventing the digital space from fragmenting into East-West divisions.
Concluding his speech, Asif reinforced the idea that international collaboration through the United Nations remains indispensable for addressing global challenges. He called for translating commitments into concrete actions, noting that only through cooperation and reform can the world hope to tackle the complex issues of security and development that threaten current and future generations.