Finance Minister Meets AIIB Delegation and UN Ambassador Munir Akram to Discuss Ongoing Projects and Climate Financing

Islamabad: Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb held a meeting with a delegation from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Munir Akram. The meeting focused on the progress of AIIB-funded projects in Pakistan and discussed avenues for further collaboration in the areas of infrastructure development and climate financing.
During the meeting, the AIIB delegation briefed the Finance Minister on the bank’s portfolio investments in Pakistan. These include projects in hydropower generation, the construction of roads and transport infrastructure, urban development, and programs aimed at mitigating the negative impacts of pandemics.
The delegation also discussed the current status of ongoing projects and emphasized the need to shift the focus of AIIB financing from power generation to the transmission and distribution systems. The AIIB team reiterated that Pakistan is a key partner country for the bank.
Minister Aurangzeb acknowledged the AIIB’s support for Pakistan, expressing satisfaction with the progress of ongoing projects. He also emphasized the need for further efforts to enhance the delivery of these projects.
In a separate meeting with Ambassador Munir Akram, discussions revolved around key matters concerning Pakistan’s engagement with major financial institutions, commercial and investment banks, and bilateral partners. Ambassador Akram highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to enhance climate finance and trade reforms to support developing countries.
He also underscored Pakistan’s ongoing push for developed nations to fulfill their commitment to allocate 0.7% of their Gross National Income (GNI) in Official Development Assistance (ODA) to developing countries, noting the importance of meeting this global target for the advancement of sustainable development goals.
The meeting also touched on the establishment of a United Nations mechanism to facilitate both public and private institutions in supporting development initiatives.