Webinar: "Inequality Trends in Asia and the Pacific and some Policy Considerations"

Department of Economics at Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi has organized a webinar on “Inequality Trends in Asia and the Pacific and some Policy Considerations” under SDGs Research and Resource Centre (SRRC) on 31st January 2023. The SRRC is think-tank established by Department of Economics, FJWU with the view that recurrent generation, optimal allocation and efficient utilization of limited resources by the academia can formulate the trajectories for achieving sustainable development.

The resource person of the webinar was Dr. Hamza Malik, Director of the Macroeconomic Policy and Financing for Development Division (MPFD) at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). He leads ESCAP’s research that analyzes economic conditions and emerging development challenges in Asia-Pacific countries and evaluates potential policy options and financing strategies that can support them in their pursuit of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Dr. Malik highlighted the importance of SDG goal 10 about reducing inequality as being pertinent issue globally during the current circumstances. He elaborated that inequality is increasing in Asia and the Pacific region not only in terms of income but also in terms of access to basic services and opportunities.  Dr. Malik suggested that in order to reduce inequality in this region governments should focus on fiscal spending as it has bigger impact compared to tax policies. He also highlighted the importance of spending on education, health care and social protection to reduce inequality. He further stressed the role of monetary policy to facilitate the inclusive development.