|
|
Mr. Chairman,
We align ourselves with the statement by Algeria on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.
We congratulate you on your election and assure you and other members of the Bureau of our full support and cooperation during the deliberations of the Committee. We also thank the Secretary General for his reports which have helped the proceedings of the Commission.
Mr. Chairman,
Seventeen years ago, at the World Summit for Social Development (WSD) we all committed ourselves to the goal of eradicating poverty through “decisive national actions and international cooperation.” Along with WSD, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) symbolize our collective resolve to create a better world that ensures better quality of life for our peoples.
Mr. Chairman,
The multiple crises of finance, fuel and food have had serious repercussions throughout the world, most importantly in the developing countries. While we are still trying to tackle the multiple crises, their impact in terms of exacerbated poverty and increased inequalities throughout the world has become pronounced.
Pakistan has been affected by the multiple crises particularly in terms of trade and substantial decline in foreign direct investment. Besides, the floods in 2010 and 2011 have contributed to slow down of economic activity by causing substantial loss of life and infrastructure. The floods of 2010 which affected 20 million people resulted in damages estimated at US$ 10 Billion. The floods of 2011 affected 5 million people in the Sindh and Balochistan provinces. Many of the affectees were still trying to recover from the floods of 2010. These developments have had a negative effect on socio-economic indicators. The economically disadvantaged sections of the Pakistani society are the most affected. Added to this is the on-going impact of Climate Change in our region since all indications are that Pakistan will be among the countries worst affected by Climate Change. This, as mentioned by the Secretary General’s report, will pose additional challenges to our poverty eradication efforts.
Numerous difficulties notwithstanding, the MDGs remain the centerpiece of our development efforts. We are committed to pursue aggressive reforms through a multi-pronged strategy which includes: improving governance; good economic management; achieving broad-based economic growth; investing in and building human capital; bringing the poor and vulnerable into the mainstream of development and; focusing on empowerment of women, minorities, youth and disabled.
Mr. Chairman,
Social protection programs are now considered an important intervention for poverty eradication and creation of employment. The Government of Pakistan has developed some social protection programs aiming at different social groups including women, aged, disabled and youth. These include:
Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) which is a cash-transfer programme focusing on empowerment of women, provision of basic services and investment in human development. Eligible households are identified on the basis of a poverty scorecard survey. This program also provides for vocational training to one member of each beneficiary family and interest free loan for small business or self-employment. BISP also provides funds to the poor for education and health.
Recently, the President of Pakistan Mr. Asif Ali Zardari launched a scheme called “Waseela-e-Haq” under the BISP initiative which would provide interest free loans to 35,000 youth in Sindh province to establish small-size businesses.
Pakistan Bait-Ul-Mal
(PBM) provides financial assistance to the destitute, widows, orphans and disabled.National Internship Program
(NIP) provides paid internships to fresh graduates in different public sector organizations to help improve their employability.Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution
(EOBI) provides monetary benefits to workers in their old age through different programs.Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund
(PPAF) is a public-private partnership which provides microfinance and other financial services to the poor in both urban and rural areas.National Vocational & Technical Education Commission
(NAVTEC) strengthens the workforce through social mobilization of funds as well as private technical training centers.Mr. Chairman,
Last year, Pakistan ratified the Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities.
The twentieth anniversary of the International Year of the Family in 2014 will provide an opportunity to re-affirm the importance of the family. In Pakistan too, family provides the first level of social integration. Hence any efforts to lift an individual from poverty translates into well-being of the entire family that is dependent on him or her. If the immediate family is unable to do so, the extended family provides support to a socially or economically disadvantaged relative.
Mr. Chairman,
Poverty eradication efforts require continued national and international commitment. In this regard international cooperation will be of critical importance.
I thank you.