During the session, Mr. Rizk expressed concern over Pakistan’s declining position in the Global Gender Gap Report, emphasizing the urgent need to address systemic inequalities that hinder progress in gender parity. He outlined UNDP’s ongoing initiatives in advancing SDGs in Pakistan and invited the academic community at LCWU to share their perspectives on the structural and cultural factors contributing to this decline. Mr. Rizk particularly highlighted the role of research, capacity building, and academia-led policy recommendations in bridging the persistent gaps in gender equality.In response, the Vice Chancellor of LCWU reaffirmed the university’s commitment to collaborating with UNDP to further the agenda of sustainable development and reduce inequities, particularly in the domain of gender justice. She emphasized the university’s readiness to strengthen research and knowledge production in partnership with UNDP, enabling faculty and students to contribute meaningfully to evidence-based solutions.The session underscored the importance of academia–policy collaboration in developing long-term strategies to improve Pakistan’s global standing on gender parity and to embed SDG principles in higher education and community engagement. This interaction marked a promising step toward future collaborations between UNDP and LCWU, laying the groundwork for impactful initiatives at the intersection of research, advocacy, and sustainable development.