Dialogue on policy opportunities, synergies,and alternatives in Gilgit-Baltistan

Organizers: ICIMOD, Soni Jawari Center of Public Policy, Gilgit, and WWF-Pakistan

About the dialogue

The Soni Jawari Center for Public Policy (SJCPP) is organizing a joint policy dialogue in collaboration with ICIMOD, WWF-Pakistan, Gilgit-Baltistan Rural Support Programme (GBRSP), Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and Karakoram International University (KIU). The workshop will deliberate on policy opportunities; harness synergies, shared priorities, and contributions of key institutions in the region; and provide inputs to SJCPP for setting the policy direction.

SJCPP aims to provide tailor-based solutions to local problems. This policy dialogue will share the vision of SJCPP and its policy programmes, set the direction in terms of policy opportunities and explore the levels of contributions from various development organizations in enhancing policies. This policy dialogue will also be a stepping stone towards strengthening the domain of evidence-based policy making in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Objectives

• Deliberate on policy opportunities, challenges, and alternatives
• Harness synergies, common priorities, and contributions of key institutions (stakeholders) with SJCPP
• Consolidate ideas and feedback to contribute to SJCPP policy direction

Expected participants

Expected participants include the advisor and team of SJCPP; members from the collaborating institutions (ICIMOD, KIU, PPAF, GBRSP, WWF-Pakistan, IUCN, and AKRSP); key cabinet members and ministers (planning, agriculture, tourism, district development authorities; Secretaries and representatives from the following departments – planning, tourism, agriculture, land use and entitlements, local government and rural development (LG&RD), Public Works Department (PWD); and members from other development organizations and the private sector.

Background

Gilgit-Baltistan is known for its spectacular landscapes, including some of the highest mountains in the world, its rich culture, and its strategic importance as a gateway to the CPEC. The flow of ecosystem services from GB, particular water, enable millions of people to secure food and livelihoods in the river valleys downstream. However, the growth in population, abrupt change in land use, increase in tourists flow, rapid construction of settlements, and expansion of economic activities coupled with climate change have had adverse effects on the lives, livelihoods, ecosystem services, biodiversity and health of the people and environment. The pace of change and its already evident adverse impacts highlight the need for developing sustainable actions and policy measures to meet the demands of the future.

The Government of Gilgit-Baltistan is proactively working to steer policy direction in the region. Gilgit-Baltistan is now positioning itself to become more sustainable by having policy measures related to ecotourism, organic agriculture, sustainable land use, urban planning, and ecosystem protection. The government has established the Soni Jawari Center of Public Policy (SJCPP) with an aim to work towards developing innovative policy measures that link village-based governance with a balance of short-term benefits and sustainable, long-term social, economic, and environmental gains. Many institutions have contributed to SJCPP. ICIMOD, KIU, and WWF-Pakistan together have conducted a number of research studies contributing to the policy content on changing agriculture, tourism and land use change in Gilgit Baltistan.

Agenda