BRI a powerful force to foster hope and unity: Webinar

Islamabad: Speakers maintained that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) remains a powerful force for fostering hope and unity, even in the face of numerous challenges and conflicts that disrupt peace and stability on a global scale.

The speakers expressed these views as part of the Third Belt and Road Forum, with the theme “Together for Common Development and Shared Prosperity.”

This event was hosted by the Friends of BRI Forum and the Centre for BRI and China Studies at the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPDS). The webinar brought together prominent voices from diverse regions to discuss the BRI’s impact and potential.

Dr. Farhat Asif, President of IPDS, highlighted the global influence of the BRI, especially in Pakistan, where it plays a pivotal role through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The webinar witnessed the participation of a diverse international audience, serving as a platform for thought leaders to explore the BRI’s capacity to shape a more peaceful and prosperous future.

Several notable speakers, such as Dr. Wang Li, Ulf Sandmark, Ambassador Igor V. Khalevinskiy, Prof. Zhou Rong, Dr. Kurt Grötsch, Dr. Katarina Zakic, Carlos Martinez, Dr. Hasan Abdullah Al-Dajah, Martín Rafael López, and Terry M. Kiragu, shared their perspectives on various aspects of the BRI, including its commitment to prosperity, role in global unity, environmental impacts, and its positive effects on international relations, trade, and development.

The webinar also underscored the significant role played by NGOs in facilitating transformational impacts and development, as emphasized by Terry M. Kiragu, Co-Founder of the Women, Youth & Children Development Organization in Kenya.