PTBP Web Desk
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has officially launched ESG Sustain, a centralized online sustainability portal developed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) in collaboration with UN Women Pakistan. This initiative signifies a crucial milestone under SECP’s ESG Roadmap, aimed at advancing sustainable practices and promoting inclusivity across regulated sectors in Pakistan.
ESG Sustain is designed to empower companies by providing a robust platform to report climate-related data, track sustainability progress, and share gender-disaggregated statistics. The portal also features a Knowledge Hub, which includes resources from professional bodies and market leaders to support capacity building and corporate accountability.
Currently, over 40 companies have onboarded the portal, contributing valuable data to drive informed decision-making. ESG Sustain is expected to attract sustainability-linked investments and pave the way for an ESG Index in the future. This development aligns with global trends emphasizing climate resilience, climate finance, and sustainable economic growth.
At the launch event, Finance Minister Aurangzeb commended the SECP’s efforts in creating ESG Sustain. He emphasized the portal’s role in fostering inclusivity and gender reforms, aligning with the Government of Pakistan’s vision for sustainable and inclusive growth. The minister highlighted the global shift toward digital solutions and stressed the importance of leveraging resources through collaboration.
“The portal’s emphasis on inclusivity and gender reforms aligns with the Government of Pakistan’s vision for inclusive growth,” Aurangzeb stated. He underscored the significance of the private sector’s leadership in driving economic development while the government focuses on creating a supportive policy framework.
Aurangzeb also pointed out the substantial losses incurred by state-owned enterprises (SOEs), amounting to approximately PKR 6 trillion over the past decade. He reiterated the government’s stance that it should concentrate on policy-making rather than direct business operations.
The minister identified population growth and climate change as two of Pakistan’s most pressing challenges. He called for a strategic approach to tackle these issues through sustainable practices and digital transformation. ESG Sustain, he noted, serves as a critical tool to promote transparency, accountability, and data-driven solutions to address these existential challenges.
Vipunjit Ketunuti, Deputy Country Representative for UN Women, praised the launch of ESG Sustain for its potential to drive sustainable development in Pakistan. She highlighted the importance of embedding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into business strategies for long-term success.
“It is inspiring to see an increasing number of companies in Pakistan recognizing the critical importance of ESG principles. The SECP’s recommendation to use UN Women Empowerment Principles as a framework for sustainability reporting is a significant step toward advancing gender equality and empowering women in business operations,” Ketunuti said.
Akif Saeed, Chairman of SECP, extended his gratitude to the Finance Minister and UN Women for their support in developing ESG Sustain. He emphasized the urgency of aligning with global sustainability commitments and highlighted the portal’s unique role as one of the few centralized sustainability platforms worldwide.
“ESG Sustain provides a vital platform to facilitate climate finance, advance gender reforms, and foster corporate accountability. It enables the private sector to showcase their sustainability accomplishments on a global stage,” Saeed remarked.
The SECP aims to encourage companies and institutions to share success stories and best practices through ESG Sustain. This initiative is expected to create a level playing field, allowing institutions of all sizes to learn from each other and promote a culture of transparency and innovation.
The data collected through ESG Sustain is anticipated to play a pivotal role in developing an ESG Index for Pakistan. This index will serve as a benchmark for sustainability performance, attracting global investors and positioning Pakistan as a leader in sustainable economic practices.
Aurangzeb concluded his address by emphasizing the importance of collaboration and digital transformation in scaling up sustainability initiatives. He called for the private sector to take the lead in driving Pakistan’s growth while leveraging digital platforms like ESG Sustain to enhance efficiency and accountability.
The launch of ESG Sustain reflects Pakistan’s commitment to creating a sustainable and inclusive economic environment. By addressing critical challenges such as climate change and gender inequality, this initiative sets the stage for a brighter and more resilient future.
