Quetta – The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in collaboration with Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS) and Government of Balochistan (GoB), with the support of UN partners and other stakeholders organized a one-day advocacy event promoting SDG8 to develop Agri-Entrepreneurship for Balochistan Youth.
Over the next 15 years, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will shape Pakistan’s national development plans. In this context, the Government of Pakistan published the Sustainable Development Goals’ National Framework in March 2018. The Framework serves to guide all tiers of government to establish horizontal and vertical partnerships for coordinated efforts to achieve meaningful progress on the SDGs.
In her remarks while opening the event, Partnerships Officer FAO, Rosana Frattini said that the success on SDG8 can help achieve a number of other SDGs, promote inclusive and sustainable development and make a tangible contribution to improve peoples’ lives and well-being.
SDG8 seeks to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. The purpose of the event was to lay out the need to make concerted efforts to promote SDG8 – which can result in solutions that will help improve rural livelihoods in Balochistan.
“Economic growth in the agriculture sector is very effective in reducing extreme poverty. When you work smarter, harder, in a coordinated manner, with better skills or with better machinery or technology innovations, it’s the most sustainable route out of poverty,” said Rosana Frattini, partnerships officer FAO.
Speaking on the occasion, Rebekah Bell, Head of FAO Field Office Quetta, said that over the next fifteen years, with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that universally apply to all, countries will mobilize efforts to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while ensuring that no one is left behind.
However, she also added that roughly half the world’s population still lives on the equivalent of about US$2 a day. "In too many places, having a job doesn’t guarantee the ability to escape from poverty. This slow and uneven progress requires us to rethink and retool our economic and social policies aimed at eradicating poverty,” said Rebekah Bell.
She further stressed that the Sustainable Development Goals are universal and call for action by all countries and all people. Sustainable development calls for concerted efforts towards building an inclusive, sustainable and resilient future for the people and the planet. Sustainable economic growth will require societies to create conditions that allow people to have quality jobs that stimulate the economy while protecting the environment. Job opportunities and decent working conditions are also required for the working age population.
BUITEMS Pro Vice Chancellor Mr. Faisal Khan welcoming the guests stressed on the need to take action to achieve the sustainable development agenda. He further stated that accelerating progress to achieving these goals will ensure a life of dignity for all and build greater shared prosperity, adding that achieving these goals is in everyone’s interest.
Followed by the main event, panel discussion and case studies sessions were organized. The conversation opened up new avenues for students, young entrepreneurs and partners alike to exchange ideas on devising new solutions to development challenges.
Minister Agriculture and Cooperatives, Mr. Zamrak Khan thanked FAO and BUITEMS for entering into this important and timely collaboration which should help further nurture the existing relationship and will spur actions by government, private sector, civil society and other stakeholders to end poverty and build a more sustainable world over the next 15 years for all people.
The event was also attended by the Country Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Ms. Ingrid Christensen, representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Director Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC) – University of Engineering and Technology Khuzdar, Dr. Khair Mohammad, entrepreneurs, BUITEMS faculty members and students, academia and civil society. Different organizations showcased their products and services during the exhibition.

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