About

To catalyse the transition towards sustainable development, defined as the enhancement of peace, social justice and well-being, within and across generations.

Registered under the Societies Registration Act, XXI of 1860, SDPI has long been recognised as one of Pakistan’s leading policy research institutions, consistently ranked among the country’s top think tanks in the now-retired Global Go To Think Tank Index. Its global credibility was further affirmed in 2022 when the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) granted SDPI Special Consultative Status acknowledging its substantive contributions to shaping sustainable development discourse at both regional and international levels. In 2025, SDPI achieved another milestone, becoming the first organisation from Pakistan to be accredited as an Observer Organisation of the Commonwealth, cementing its role as a trusted voice in global policy dialogues.

Where We Come From

The Institute’s genesis lies in the Pakistan National Conservation Strategy (also known as Pakistan’s Agenda 21), which approved by the Federal Cabinet in March 1992, outlined the need for an independent non-profit organisation in the country to serve as a source of expertise for policy analysis, evidence-based research and training services.

What We Do and How We Do It

For more than three decades, SDPI has actively shaped Pakistan’s policy landscape through a richly multifaceted portfolio. Its work is not just rooted in conventional themes like governance reform, inclusive economic growth, and sustainable industrial development. It also extends into emerging areas such as the Fourth Industrial Revolution, circular economy, digital transformation, green finance, and the open-data movement.
At its core, SDPI serves as a bridge between research and policy. It provides high-level policy advisory services, drives cross-sector capacity building and training, and catalyses sustained advocacy and public education. Its research agenda spans climate resilience, water-food-energy nexus, trade and regional connectivity, urban sustainability, education, health, gender equality, social protection, peacebuilding, and human security.
Driven by a philosophy of inclusive policy discourse, SDPI regularly convenes local-to-global dialogues from media engagement, seminars, and curricula development to high-profile flagship conferences. The Institute publishes a wide array of outputs like reports, policy briefs, working papers, journals, and compendiums, making research accessible and actionable. SDPI also hosts its own digital media platform, SDTV, showcasing an extensive library of original content, including documentaries, podcasts, interviews, and expert analyses. This channel serves as a dynamic space for sharing research insights, policy debates, and stories that inspire change Through partnerships with international institutions, SDPI translates research into practice, helping institutionalise the use of evidence in policymaking systems.
In essence, SDPI is more than a think tank: it is a platform for innovation, advocacy, and impact, where rigorous, multidisciplinary research meets strategic partnerships, data infrastructure, and policy engagement across emerging and enduring challenges.

Why We Do It

The Institute’s efforts remain unwavering in its vision to become a Centre of Excellence on sustainable development policy research, capacity development and advocacy in the country and in Asia by producing knowledge that not only enhances the capacity of the state to make informed policy decisions, but also engages civil society and academia on issues of public interest for the betterment of current and future generations.