SDPI, SDGs Secretariat of National Assembly join hands for evidence-based legislation

ISLAMABAD: Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Secretariat of National Assembly of Pakistan to assist legislators and SDG Secretariat in research, authentic and credible data provision and analysis for parliamentary business including Calling Attention Notices, Questions, Motions, etc.

Both SDPI and SDGs Secretariat of National Assembly agreed to work together to promote and raise awareness regarding SDGs through advocacy campaigns at the grassroots level, a press release here said.

Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Executive Director SDPI Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri on behalf of their respective organizations have signed the MoU here on Friday at Parliamentary SDG Secretariat office. Federal Minister, Information and Broadcasting Maryam Aurangzeb, Former Chairman Council of Islamic Ideology Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani, Parliamentary Secretary for Ministry of Climate Change Romina Khursheed Alam, Director Research Uptake and Business Development, SDPI Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, Research Fellow, SDPI Dr Sheheryar Khan Toru and other dignitaries from both organizations were also present at the signing ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker National Assembly said that the agreement will be utilized to build the research capacity of parliamentarians through capacity development training workshops provided by SDPI.

He said in the wake of global emerging challenges to development, the SDG Secretariat will seek evidence-based advice and technical support from SDPI. Under the agreement, forthcoming parliament would have a great opportunity to better function around SDGs targets, he added.

Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director SDPI on the occasion said Pakistan is committed to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and adopted as its own national development agenda, but achieving SDGs targets remained a major challenge largely due to lack of research capacity and skills of the legislatures.

He said the agreement aims to strengthen the evidence-based legislation and under the agreement, SDPI will assist the parliamentarians through the provision of research findings and help in drafting legislative bills.

He said SDPI through its training, learning and development programs will not only develop the capacity of members of the parliament but also research staff of the national assembly. “SDPI role is working towards building consensus across political fora, especially forging political consensuses around issues related to SDGs,” he added.