WB delegation meets KU VC

A five-member delegation from the World Bank (WB) met with University of Karachi Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi to discuss the establishment of WB's Centre for Environmental and Social Sustainability (CESS) in Pakistan.

Led by Senior Social Development Specialist Imran ul Haq, the WB delegation, including Dr Farrukh Nawaz from KU Institute of Environmental Studies and Dr Syeda Hoor-Ul-Ain from KU Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation (ORIC), explored the potential for creating a centre of excellence in the province to address environmental issues and provide lasting solutions for social sustainability.

Haq highlighted the objectives of the proposed CESS project, emphasising the creation of ownership among stakeholders, capacity building, and collaboration between individuals, governments, industries, masses, and academia. The WB delegation had shortlisted four universities for CESS, with the KU among them.

The CESS aimed to strengthen partnerships for environmental and social sustainability, improving environmental conditions, safeguarding social values, conducting in-depth research, and developing policies to protect and enhance environmental quality.

Haq expressed the WB's interest in involving other donor agencies, such as the Asian Development Bank and Japan International Cooperation Agency, to enhance the project's impact on society.