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Global Go To Think Tank Index (GGTTI) 2020 launched                    111,75 Think Tanks across the world ranked in different categories.                SDPI is ranked 90th among “Top Think Tanks Worldwide (non-US)”.           SDPI stands 11th among Top Think Tanks in South & South East Asia & the Pacific (excluding India).            SDPI notches 33rd position in “Best New Idea or Paradigm Developed by A Think Tank” category.                SDPI remains 42nd in “Best Quality Assurance and Integrity Policies and Procedure” category.              SDPI stands 49th in “Think Tank to Watch in 2020”.            SDPI gets 52nd position among “Best Independent Think Tanks”.                           SDPI becomes 63rd in “Best Advocacy Campaign” category.                   SDPI secures 60th position in “Best Institutional Collaboration Involving Two or More Think Tanks” category.                       SDPI obtains 64th position in “Best Use of Media (Print & Electronic)” category.               SDPI gains 66th position in “Top Environment Policy Tink Tanks” category.                SDPI achieves 76th position in “Think Tanks With Best External Relations/Public Engagement Program” category.                    SDPI notches 99th position in “Top Social Policy Think Tanks”.            SDPI wins 140th position among “Top Domestic Economic Policy Think Tanks”.               SDPI is placed among special non-ranked category of Think Tanks – “Best Policy and Institutional Response to COVID-19”.                                            Owing to COVID-19 outbreak, SDPI staff is working from home from 9am to 5pm five days a week. All our staff members are available on phone, email and/or any other digital/electronic modes of communication during our usual official hours. You can also find all our work related to COVID-19 in orange entries in our publications section below.    The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) is pleased to announce its Twenty-third Sustainable Development Conference (SDC) from 14 – 17 December 2020 in Islamabad, Pakistan. The overarching theme of this year’s Conference is Sustainable Development in the Times of COVID-19. Read more…       FOOD SECIRITY DASHBOARD: On 4th Nov, SDPI has shared the first prototype of Food Security Dashboard with Dr Moeed Yousaf, the Special Assistant to Prime Minister on  National Security and Economic Outreach in the presence of stakeholders, including Ministry of National Food Security and Research. Provincial and district authorities attended the event in person or through zoom. The dashboard will help the government monitor and regulate the supply chain of essential food commodities.

By BR Research

Business Recorder

Published Date: Nov 23, 2016

Climate change: a SAARCastic approach

Earlier this week, Islamabad-based think tank Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) held a seminar titled SAARC-Challenges and Opportunities in Changing Regional Dynamics.

The panellists spoke about regional issues that transcend borders and should become part of the SAARC agenda. Mainly, this included climate change, disaster management, and water security. Given the threat of climate change-induced disasters in South Asia, the panel deemed it imperative for the governments of all countries to enhance cooperation at the SAARC level to evolve mechanisms to protect the lives and agriculture across the region.

The panellists stressed the need for exchanging data and information, coordination between disaster management authorities, and the joint management of resources. As Sanjay Vashist, Director Climate Action Network (CAN) South Asia said, South Asian governments lack capacity to respond to such challenges while working in isolation and must join hands to find solutions. Dr. Imran Khalid of SDPI added that the nature of the disasters in South Asian countries such as floods and draughts prevailed across the region and thus could be responded to by collaborated mechanisms.

However, we might just be jumping the gun here. We know that trade among SAARC countries under SAFTA is around five percent of the total trade; we know there are non-tariff barriers and no free movement of people; and we know all too well of the trust deficit and tense relations between certain member countries. If SAARC countries cant even trade, how can they come together on more complex issues like climate change?

BR Research spoke Dr. Viqar Ahmed, Deputy Executive Director of SDPI, who confirmed that people-to-people exchanges and trade are definitely the "low-hanging fruit" and are a prerequisite for the type of regional cooperation being debated. Without trust, these things will remain a fantasy. 

Another industry source confirmed the same; greater economic interdependence leads to the waning of political boundaries and can enhance cooperation. Dr. Viqar added that a SAARC Disaster Management Framework was adopted, but negotiations went cold when it came down to data-sharing between countries. 

This data includes water inflows, glacial melting, and other indicators. This clearly indicates the trust deficit between member states. 

One thing is true, however: issues like climate change and water definitely transcend borders and call for a globally unified approach. 

They pertain to the planet, and not countries. The smog seen earlier this year also reminded us that what happens in one country can indubitably affect the other. So, we are all for making climate change a part of the SAARC agenda, provided that the SAARC agenda actually means something!

Source: http://www.brecorder.com/br-research/999:all/7155:climate-change-a-saarcastic-approach/?date=2016-11-23 

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