A presentation of the project "Critical Infrastructure to Contribute to Stability and Peace" was held in Khorog last month to the GBAO Governor and a Delegation of the European Union. The project, funded by the European Union, is implemented by the Aga Khan Foundation, the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat and the Mountain Societies Development Support Programme in close partnership with the local Government. Implemented over the period of 18 months, the project aims to foster peace and stability in Khorog by improving highly demanded public infrastructure and services, strengthening confidence in local authorities, and generating temporary employment opportunities through construction work.

“The Health and Health Related SDGs: Current Status and Opportunities in Pakistan” event is the third such meeting of policymakers and development experts organized by AKU which seeks to develop integrated, comprehensive plans to help Pakistan meet its development priorities. The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of National Health Services, Aga Khan University, Aga Khan Foundation-Canada, the University of Toronto, and Canada’s International Development Research Centre. In his opening remarks, Prof. Zulfiqar A Bhutta, founding director of AKU’s Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, noted that Pakistan has another decade to achieve targets under the SDGs. “The SDGs are inter-related and span the economic, social and environmental spheres,” said Prof. Bhutta. “Achieving targets under the health-related SDGs and addressing our malnutrition crisis requires attention to be paid to other important sectors such as agriculture, water and sanitation, female empowerment and education – especially that of girls – as well as other areas that influence the country’s health sector.”