Book titled ‘CPEC Beyond 2030: A Green Alliance for Sustainable Development’ launched

Newswire

Islamabad: The China Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) this week hosted the launch of the book titled “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Beyond 2030: A Green Alliance for Sustainable Development.”

Edited by Dr. Rabia Akhtar and published by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), this book explores the future of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with a focus on sustainable development and green initiatives.

The event was marked by the presence of prominent guests, including Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed as the Chief Guest and Mr. Xu Hangtian, Minister Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, as the Guest of Honour. Among the distinguished reviewers were Ambassador Naghmana Hashmi, former Pakistani Ambassador to China; Dr. Salma Malik, Associate Professor at Quaid-i-Azam University; and Dr. Hassan Daud Butt, former CEO of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment.

During his address, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General of ISSI, emphasized the importance of the enduring Pakistan-China Strategic Cooperative Partnership, with CPEC as a cornerstone. He noted that as a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), CPEC links China’s western regions with the Arabian Sea via Pakistan. This transformative project aims to alleviate Pakistan’s energy shortages, address infrastructural deficiencies, and enhance regional connectivity. By revitalizing trade routes and promoting economic integration, CPEC is set to position Pakistan as a central gateway to Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. Ambassador Mahmood also reflected on the tangible benefits that CPEC has delivered over the past 11 years.

He further highlighted the book’s focus on the potential of CPEC to drive sustainable growth. It envisions CPEC evolving into a green development initiative that aligns with global sustainability efforts and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By incorporating green technologies and sustainable practices, CPEC is poised to not only boost economic growth but also lead in environmental stewardship. The book serves as a strategic roadmap, offering actionable recommendations to ensure that CPEC contributes positively to long-term regional development.

Mr. Felix Kolbitz, Country Director of FES, expressed his gratitude to the editor and authors of the book and commended the ISSI for their collaboration. He expressed hope that the book would inspire new ideas, promote further research, and significantly contribute to the ongoing discourse on sustainable development within the CPEC framework.

Ambassador Naghmana Hashmi noted the book’s exploration of the intense debates and emotions surrounding CPEC and other connectivity projects in today’s geopolitical climate. She remarked that the book presents a compelling counter-narrative in support of the BRI and CPEC, addressing both challenges and long-term solutions.

Dr. Salma Malik highlighted the book’s examination of the political, geostrategic, and environmental dimensions of CPEC. She emphasized the concept of a “Green CPEC” as part of CPEC 2.0, advocating for the alignment of projects with SDGs and UN guidelines to ensure sustainable development.

Dr. Hassan Daud Butt discussed the focus on developing environmentally sustainable Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under CPEC. He stressed the need for government policies that facilitate private sector investment in these zones.

Dr. Rabia Akhtar, the book’s editor, described the volume as a call to action for re-imagining the future of CPEC beyond economic metrics, with a focus on balancing development with sustainability. She asserted that CPEC should be more than just a commercial corridor; it should be a corridor of consciousness and a keystone for forging a green alliance.

Mr. Xu Hangtian, the Guest of Honour, praised the dedication of the authors and their comprehensive work, describing the book as a valuable resource on CPEC that will endure for years. He acknowledged the sustainability challenges faced by both China and Pakistan during CPEC’s implementation, noting that numerous projects, including those focused on sustainable energy technologies like solar and wind, have been undertaken to address these challenges.

In his address, Chief Guest Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed reflected on China’s path to modernization, its peaceful rise, and its success in lifting 800 million people out of poverty. He noted that despite criticism from Western nations, China’s Belt and Road Initiative has inspired similar projects, such as the Build Back Better World (B3W) and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Senator Mushahid also stressed the importance of countering the global smear campaign against the BRI and CPEC, lauding the book’s contributions to highlighting CPEC’s significance and proposing a green development trajectory.

Earlier in the event, Dr. Talat Shabbir remarked that the book serves both as a reflection on the past 11 years of CPEC and as a forward-looking roadmap, addressing the progress, challenges, and opportunities that lie ahead.

In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood emphasized that CPEC is not an isolated initiative but a central component of the broader BRI, the most ambitious infrastructure development project in history. He acknowledged the challenges and opposition faced by CPEC and called for the construction of an effective counter-narrative.

The book launch was well-attended by diplomats, practitioners, academics, think-tank experts, students, members of the business community, and the media.