Statement of His Excellency Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, following the Joint Communiqué

May 15,2017

Excellency President Xi Jinping,
Distinguished world leaders,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
It is my privilege to congratulate you, Mr. President, for this visionary initiative of “One Belt-One Road” and to commend the tremendous efforts of your government and people for making this forum an historic global event of our region and the world at large.
 
I must also congratulate you for choosing a very apt theme: “Cooperation for Common Prosperity.”
 
The presence of such a large number of Heads of State and Government and distinguished world leaders at the Forum is testimony to your great leadership and acknowledgment of the growing stature of China on the international map.
 
As an old friend, it is a matter of immense pleasure for me, my government and the people of Pakistan to witness the success of this event as well as the transformational potential of OBOR for the peace, progress and prosperity of the people of the world.
 
Mr. President,
 
Our support for this seminal initiative is rooted in the postulates that we have laid down today in the joint declaration. In resolving to uphold the spirit of peace, cooperation, openness, transparency, inclusiveness, equality, mutual learning, mutual benefit, and mutual respect, within the framework and principles of the United Nations Charter and international laws, this initiative provides an excellent model for “win-win” cooperation at the global level.
 
 
 Connectivity is not just about connected countries and businesses; it is mainly about connected peoples and nations. As we connect Shin Jiang with Gwadar and Karachi, we are not only connecting two nations, but on a much broader scale, two regions, which in turn will provide links to the Middle East and Africa on one side and Europe and the rest of the world on the other.
 
This is the pathway to a global model of inclusive development based on the universal principles of shared prosperity that President Xi so strongly upholds.
 
Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
This Forum has been of critical importance. Our sitting in concert has generated a reservoir of valuable ideas, thoughts and linkages, which I am confident, will very soon translate into concrete, tangible and vastly beneficial outcomes for all of us. 
 
However, for this to happen in the way we envisage, it is imperative that we quickly put in place an institutional mechanism for the continuous periodical review and appraisal of the formulation and implementation of OBOR policies and plans.
 
Let me conclude by saying that we must, Ladies and Gentlemen, take this historically unique opportunity to build a peaceful, progressive, inclusive and sustainable world. I thank you all very much