Pakistan leads high-level event in New York on social protection
Imran Yaqub Dhillon New York
The Permanent mission of Pakistan to the UN in collaboration with the Governments of Finland and Costa Rica, World Bank and UNDESA Ehsaas hosted a high-level side event on, “An Inflection Point on Social Protection” in New York . Ambassador Munir Akram, President of Economic and Social Council chaired the event.
The session was keynoted by Senator Dr. Sania Nishtar alongwith the Foreign Minister of Costa Rica, Mr. Rodolfo Solano Quiros and Under Secretary General UN DESA Mr. Liu Zhenmin. The event was held to promote the establishment of a platform involving governments and stakeholders, who, recognizing the upheaval and distress of the pandemic are considering possible options to accelerate global social protection knowledge and practice.
Senator Dr. Sania Nishtar said there is need for a Global Government-to-Government Community of Practice on Social Protection.
Its global nature means that it would be open to any country around the world, hence opening the doors of learning to everyone, strengthening ongoing exchanges, and connecting countries facing similar quandaries.
During the panel discussion, Michal Rutkowski, Lead of Global Social Protection at the World Bank said that “I salute the initiative of Nishtar”. Sabina Alkire from Oxford University and Alexandar Pick also addressed the event.
Dr. Sania Nishtar and Ambassador Munir Akram also met Mr. Liu Zhenmin USG UN DESA and discussed ways to update social protection and achievement of the SDGs.
She also met various members of the Pakistani community-based in New York and briefed them about the initiatives taken under the Ehsaas program. She answered various queries raised by the participants.
Dr. Sania Nishtar mentioned that the Ehsaas program is being run without any political pressure.
The Government is trying to digitize it completely to ensure transparency in the disbursement and management of funds.
She also mentioned that the Ehsaas initiative is recognized at home and abroad as one of the largest and unique social protection initiatives with more than 280 programs, policies pillars, and initiatives, structured in four thematic pillars, targeting vulnerable 14 vulnerable groups. There are 34 executing agencies of the program.
