Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri Executive Director Sustainable Development

Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri Executive Director Sustainable Development Policy Institute Suleri@sdpi. org Twitter: @abidsuleri 1

Sustainable Development Policy Institute Independent premier policy thinktank of Pakistan To catalyzes transition to sustainable development through robust evidences, we conduct trans-disciplinary research, bridge research-policy-practice gaps, act as knowledge broker and not only generate & disseminate research but also develop a cadre of development practitioners through our interactive dialogues/trainings 2

Global Go 2 Think. Tanks Ranking In 2020 total number of think tanks ranked were 11175 Among Think Tanks with best policy and institutional responses to COVID 19 1) 90 th in top Global think tanks (Based outside US. ) 2) 11 th in top Regional think tanks (SEA and the Pacific) 3) 52 nd among independent think tanks – (unchanged) 4) 66 th among environment policy think tanks– (unchanged) 5) 99 th among Social Policy think tanks– (unchanged) 6) 140 th among top Economic policy think tanks 7) 60 th among think tanks with best advocacy and outreach 8) 49 th in think tank to watch 9) 76 th among think tanks with best public engagement 10) 64 th in media work category – (unchanged) 11) 60 th in Institutional collaboration – (unchanged) 12) 33 rd in Best New Idea or Paradigm Shift developed by a Think Tank – (unchanged) 13) 42 nd in Best Quality Assurance and Integrity Policies and Procedure – (unchanged) 3

Good Examples & Lessons Learnt during Pandemic Covid provided new online platforms which enabled us to virtually engage experts and decisionmakers alike. We were quick in providing evidences to decisionmakers so that they may take important decisions. Our job did not stop here. We disseminated policy recommendations to general public as well. • 90 plus webinars (from March 2020 to onward) • 30 were on Covid 19 • 20 Policy briefs published • Almost 100 opinion pieces in different newspapers & more than 100 electronic media appearances • 4 days annual conference 4

Food Security Portal Functions

Strategies to upgrade TTs capacity • Remaining relevant with national priorities to provide evidence for decision making • Fostering partnerships with national and international TTS • Working closely with sectoral representatives to understand the gravity of issues and voice these issues at relevant forums • Serve as bridge among elected representatives, media and communities • Use of virtual platforms and forums • Data analytics and data visual 9

How to strengthen the role of think tanks • CAREC TTN • Setting up subgroups on sectoral issues • Learning from each other on what worked, what did not work, and why? • Joint research and advocacy agenda • Synthesis of work done by different TTs to arrive at commonalities 10