JS Bank joins hands with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to promote gender-inclusive and climate-resilient businesses in Pakistan. The collaboration aims to promote private-sector financing, particularly projects aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a core focus on women and youth-led businesses. In line with the International Women’s Day (IWD) theme, this partnership underscores JS Bank and UNDP Pakistan’s commitment to prioritise women-centric initiatives to foster gender impact within sustainable development and climate resilience.
The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed at JS Bank’s head office in Karachi in the presence of the senior management, including Atif Salim Malik, Chief Operating Officer, and Syed Jafar Raza, Group Head, Investment, International & Transactional Banking from JS Bank and Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative and Ammara Durrani, Assistant Resident Representative from UNDP Pakistan.
Atif Salim Malik commented at the signing ceremony, “At JS Bank, we believe in the power of innovative ideas to drive economic growth and social change, particularly for women. As a financial service provider, it is our core responsibility to empower inclusive and sustainable businesses. We are also grateful to partner with UNDP to pave the way for inclusive and climate-resilient projects in the country. We are committed to making a positive impact on society.”
At the ceremony, Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative UNDP Pakistan, said, “For Pakistan’s resilient recovery and inclusive growth, the private sector’s adoption of the sustainability agenda is crucial to driving job creation, skill development, innovation, and infrastructure. Through our SDG Investments & Climate Finance Facility, UNDP partners with SDG-inspired private and commercial entities like JS Bank to catalyse development finance and impact investments.”
The collaboration between UNDP and JS Bank marks a significant milestone in advancing sustainable development efforts in Pakistan. It reiterates the need for climate-friendly business practices. Having inaugurated this collaboration, both organisations remain steadfast in fostering innovative, inclusive, and sustainable businesses in the country.