There’s something remarkable about people coming together with a shared purpose. When people come together with a shared purpose for the planet....
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There’s something remarkable about people coming together with a shared purpose. When people come together with a shared purpose for the planet, people, or prosperity, it sparks something bigger than just a gathering - it sets change in motion. That’s precisely what unfolded at the 9th Sustainability Powerhouse, co-hosted by Dawood Global Foundation and UNDP Pakistan, at the British Deputy High Commission in Karachi. The event centred on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17: Fostering partnerships to achieve shared global objectives.
Set against the lively backdrop of the Acton House Gardens, this event brought together over 200 participants - men and women from different sectors - intent on tackling the big challenges of our time. Martin Dawson, the British Deputy Head of Mission, opened the evening with warm words, reflecting on the commission’s 15-year collaboration with the event’s hosts. “Exceptional impact on society,” he remarked, highlighting initiatives supporting education, food security, and women entrepreneurs. Dawson’s personal connection to this journey added a meaningful touch, as he celebrated the foundation’s alignment with global goals.
Tara Uzra Dawood, president of LadiesFund, took the stage next, painting a vivid picture of Pakistan’s heritage of sustainability. From bottle gali to matka kulfi and corn wrapped in newspaper, she explained how these traditional practices reflect a culture of resourcefulness. But she didn’t stop there - her vision expanded to exporting this knowledge and training others in regenerative practices like solar ovens and e-commerce. “Pakistan’s care for our country is one that we are very proud of and others can learn from,” she shared.
Rida Amjad Malik from UNDP followed with stories of impact, including green skills training for 1,200 youth in Interior Sindh and the 2015 ‘Educate a Girl Climate’ initiative, which trained 400 female journalists in climate reporting. Adding to this, Sarmad Khan, visiting from New York, emphasised the importance of partnerships in achieving sustainable development. “Goal 17 serves as the cornerstone of sustainable development,” he noted, urging collective action to build a more equitable future.
The evening combined insightful discussions, engaging panels, and heartfelt personal stories. Faisal Kachelo recalled the devastating floods in Interior Sindh and the foundation’s immediate response with truckloads of food rations. Jaweria Ali, now a news anchor, reflected on how being a scholarship recipient transformed her life. The event’s eco-glam theme saw Senator Nasreen Jalil win Best Dressed for her block-print sari, worn over 30 times - a nod to sustainable fashion.
Panel discussions ranged from sustainable finance and aviation to e-publishing, featuring experts like Madiha Sarim Alvi, Ayesha Afzal, and Ameena Saiyid. The gathering wrapped up with acknowledgments for key partners and sponsors, from ADB and World Bank to local businesses, with funds going toward the Educate a Girl programme.
At its core, the evening showcased the power of partnerships - proving that when people connect and collaborate, they can do more than just talk about change. They can make it happen.
- You! desk
