ISLAMABAD: (Parliament Times) Dr. Nafisa Shah, Member National Assembly led the Pakistan delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union Hearing at the United Nations, New York from 13-14 February 2017. This year’s Hearing focused on “A World of Blue: Preserving the oceans, safeguarding the planet, ensuring human well-being in the context of the 2030 Agendaâ€.
Participating in the debate, Dr. Shah highlighted the importance of saving oceans and ecosystems. She highlighted the fact that Pakistan with its long coast line and exclusive economic zone located in the Arabian Sea had enhanced its geo-political and economic importance around the globe. “The newly constructed Gwadar port offers the shortest sea route to the landlocked countries of Asiaâ€, she added.
Talking of the importance of regional connectivity, she emphasized the role played by Pakistan in augmenting this connectivity through its port city of Karachi and Trade and Economic Corridor. She also highlighted that Pakistan has a strategic stake in the peaceful navigation and security in the region.
In her intervention on Oceans Governance: Strengthening of peace, maritime security, cooperation and friendly relations among all nations, she highlighted that the Indian Ocean faces several security threats including Illegal fishing and piracy, human and drug trafficking and the threat of nuclear weapons. She called on the international community to respond to these challenges to actualize its vision of protecting marine resources and ecosystems.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Annual Hearing at the United Nations recognizes the critical role parliamentarians play as standard bearers, policy shapers, and legislative decision-makers around the world. It provides the central opportunity for collaboration between the world’s parliamentarians and the United Nations. This IPU Hearing emphasized the importance of tapping the leadership role to forge a collective global response to the challenge of preserving ocean and attainment of SDG 14. These parliamentarian inputs put forth during the Hearing are expected to contribute to the preparatory process for The Ocean Conference scheduled to be held at the United Nations in New York in June 2017.
The Pakistan delegation during the Parliamentary Hearing reiterated its full support towards the attainment of 2030 Agenda while ensuring implementation of SDG 14.
