The United Nations' Resident Coordinator, Mohamed Yahya, expressed strong commitment to supporting Pakistan in bridging its financing gap to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). During a call with Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Yahya stated that the UN is ready to work together to mobilize resources and technical expertise. Iqbal welcomed the offer and emphasized the government's dedication to the SDG agenda, highlighting food insecurity as a major obstacle to children's development in Pakistan, where 38% of children are stunted due to malnutrition. The UN reaffirmed its support for intensified efforts and partnerships to address malnutrition and food insecurity, particularly among children and vulnerable populations.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40358306/sustainable-development-goals-un-pledges-support-in-bridging-financing-gapBangladesh is set to formally demand $4.52 billion from Pakistan during foreign secretary-level talks on April 17 in Dhaka. The claim includes $200 million in aid sent after the 1970 Bhola cyclone, which was initially deposited with the State Bank of Pakistan's Dhaka branch but later transferred to its Lahore branch. Many Bangladeshi government employees who returned home after independence found their provident fund balances and savings instruments were never refunded by Pakistan.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1302228-bd-to-demand-4-52bn-pre-1971-assets-from-pakistan-today-reportThe Pentagon has discovered that Chinese satellite company Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co Ltd is aiding Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen to target US warships and international vessels in the Red Sea. The revelation comes amid a trade war between the US and China, with President Trump imposing tariffs of up to 145% on Chinese imports. State Department official Tammy Bruce confirmed that China had "ignored" concerns about Chang Guang's involvement in supporting Houthi attacks, which have forced shipping companies to take a longer route around Africa, increasing fuel costs and delays.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14624247/china-trade-war-trump-houthi-red-sea.htmlChina boasts a unique industrial capability, covering all categories in the UN's industrial classification system, according to Wang Yiwei, director of Renmin University's Institute of International Affairs. This "complete industrial chain" enables China to produce a wide range of products, from everyday items like matches and monosodium glutamate (MSG) to complex goods such as rockets, satellites, nuts, and aircraft carriers.
https://channelnewsasia.com/cna-insider/southeast-asia-manufacturers-trump-tariff-war-us-china-asean-5071786Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has announced plans to visit Kabul, aiming to break the deadlock with the Taliban-led Afghan regime. This will be his first high-level engagement since the PML-Nawaz-led coalition government took office over a year ago. Dar's visit is seen as a significant diplomatic breakthrough and comes after recent meetings between Pakistan's Special Envoy Ambassador Sadiq and Afghanistan's Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, including a 7th meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) in Kabul. The visit aims to address Islamabad's concerns about Afghan soil being used against Pakistan for terrorism and to sign important agreements and MoUs agreed upon during Ambassador Sadiq's recent visit.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40358320/dar-to-visit-kabul-to-end-prolonged-deadlockThe European Union has lifted its retaliatory tariff of 25% on the US after a policy reversal by the US. The US had paused tariffs on countries with non-retaliatory stances against it, including around 75 countries, for 90 days. This move could lead to lower tariffs and reduced non-tariff barriers. However, experts emphasize the need for each country to develop an indigenized core industrial base to prepare for supply-chain crises, such as those caused by climate change and pandemics. They also highlight concerns over neoliberal trading rules, including intellectual property rights that hinder global public goods like vaccines. World-renowned philosopher Noam Chomsky has criticized the concept of trade, arguing it often benefits only a few at the expense of workers' incomes and labor conditions.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40358250/tariffs-and-non-neoliberal-globalization-iiHungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar agreed to abolish visa requirements for diplomatic passport-holders in both countries. The two nations also signed agreements on cultural exchange, archaeology cooperation, and a visa exemption for diplomats. They discussed enhancing cooperation in trade, energy, agriculture, science, culture, education, counterterrorism, and regional issues like the Afghanistan dispute and the Kashmir issue. Hungary's foreign minister praised Pakistan's efforts against terrorism and expressed satisfaction over the doubling of bilateral trade.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40358324/hungary-backs-extension-of-gsp-status-beyond-2027The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has backed India's stance on reducing tariffs, urging the US and China to rebuild trust and strengthen a fair trade system. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva welcomed India's decision to cut trade barriers, suggesting that other countries could also lower tariffs amid negotiations over President Donald Trump's tariffs.
https://indiatoday.in/business/story/imf-backs-india-stance-on-tariffs-presses-us-china-on-fair-trade-2710848-2025-04-18The International Monetary Fund's Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, has stated that the global economy is unlikely to enter a recession despite the impact of US President Donald Trump's tariff rollout. The IMF expects "notable" cuts to growth due to trade disruptions caused by tariffs, but no recession.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/04/18/economy/imf-chief-world-economy/