- 35 SDG-aligned projects worth $26 billion showcased; tourism investment deal worth $40 million signed at Karachi event
KARACHI, October 7, 2026 (Khyber Mail) – The National Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Investment Fair concluded in Karachi on Wednesday after bringing together government representatives, investors, financial institutions and development partners to explore investment opportunities aligned with Pakistan’s sustainable development agenda.
Organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Government of Pakistan under the SDGs Plus Programme, the two-day event showcased 35 public-private partnership projects valued at approximately $26 billion. The fair also witnessed the signing of a Letter of Intent between a government-private sector partner and an investor for a $40 million tourism sector project.
The event opened on October 6 with the launch of the SDG Investment Pipeline Compendium and project pitchbooks. Addressing participants virtually as chief guest, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasized the need for developing investable and bankable projects that meet international standards.
“Every country needs a policy framework and a financing equation. But the most important piece is capacity building, which is where we need to talk about investable, bankable projects that we can structure, report on and monitor in line with international standards,” he said.
The inaugural session also featured remarks from Senator Sherry Rehman, Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, and Najam Shah, Chairman of the Planning and Development Department, Government of Sindh.
UNDP Pakistan Deputy Resident Representative Van Nguyen highlighted the importance of translating discussions into long-term partnerships and tangible development outcomes.
“Success should not be measured only by the number of projects showcased or commitments announced, but by whether these projects move forward into financing, implementation and real improvements in people’s lives,” she said.
During the fair, representatives from federal and provincial institutions presented investment opportunities in transport, climate resilience, agriculture, water and sanitation, tourism, industry, trade and technology sectors. Participating organizations included the Sindh Public Private Partnership Unit, Punjab Public Private Partnership Authority, Ravi Urban Development Authority, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade, and Balochistan Public Private Partnership Authority.
Addressing the opening session on the second day, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof. Ahsan Iqbal said the fair translated the government’s URAAN development priorities into practical investment opportunities.
“The Fair translates URAAN’s pillars into investable opportunities, bringing government and investors together to accelerate sustainable development through investment across Pakistan,” he said.
The event also featured a high-level panel discussion on the role of Pakistan’s capital markets and private sector in mobilizing sustainable investment. Moderated by Van Nguyen, the panel included Umar Ahsan Khan, President of the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) and CEO of Dawlance; Zehra Aneek, Director for Sustainability and Climate Change at EY MENA; Farid Alam, CEO of AKD Securities; and Amir Masood, Chief Investment Officer at InfraZamin.
Another panel discussion examined the transition from development planning to investment, bringing together senior officials from Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan alongside investment and business facilitation experts.
Closing the event, Sindh Minister for Planning and Development Jam Khan Shoro stressed the importance of stronger public-private sector collaboration.
“Sustainable investment is key to unlocking Sindh’s and Pakistan’s development potential, connecting our projects with the capital and partnerships needed to deliver results in health, WASH and agriculture,” he said.
UNDP Pakistan Resident Representative Dr. Samuel Rizk noted that the fair demonstrated how well-designed investment opportunities can attract financing while delivering development impact.
The National SDGs Investment Fair aimed to bridge the gap between development priorities and private-sector financing, helping accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals through strategic investments across Pakistan.