FCDO Pakistan: Development Priorities

Join us for a presentation by FCDO Development Director, Annabel Gerry, as she shares insights on UK’s development support priorities for Pakistan and how these align to the UK government’s International Development Strategy. Almost a third of Pakistan’s population lives in poverty, with women most seriously affected. Ensuring a prosperous and stable Pakistan is vital for the future of millions of poor Pakistanis, and the stability and security of both the region and the UK.

Following on from British Expertise International’s annual Meet the Ambassadors series, we are delighted to announce a series of sessions with FCDO Development Directors who will share more in-depth insights and understanding of their respective countries’ development priorities.  

The FCDO Secretary of State suggested that “the strategy puts development at the heart of the UK’s foreign policy. It will deepen economic, security and development ties globally, while delivering jobs and growth in both the UK and low- and middle-income countries”. The strategy sets the direction for all of the UK government’s development work and aims to draw on expertise from the private sector, civil society and academia to advise and challenge on implementation.

According to the FCDO Development Tracker, “…ensuring a prosperous and stable Pakistan is vital for the future of millions of poor Pakistanis, and the stability and security of both the region and the UK. Almost a third of Pakistan’s population lives in poverty (over 60 million people), with women most seriously affected. 22.6 million children do not go to school and half of the population, including two thirds of women, cannot read or write. One in eleven children die before their fifth birthday, every year 9,700 women die in childbirth and 44% of children under five are stunted. Pakistan’s population is set to grow by 40 million people in the next 15 years and the economy needs to grow by more than 7% a year to create jobs for this growing young population. There is major inequality based on geography, gender, ethnicity, disability and faith and a significant modern slavery problem amongst the poor, minorities, women and children. Pakistan carries a high risk of natural disasters; it has the second highest number of refugees in the world and continues to suffer from extremism and militancy. Consolidating the growing democracy and capacity of government institutions remains essential.”

Pakistan has huge development potential, with an increasing proportion of Pakistan’s youth providing the country with the possibility for a new period of economic growth and a projected GDP growth rate of 4 percent for 2022. 

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*Due to information security reasons, the recording of this event will not proceed.