Islamabad, Oct 29: Pakistan to Urge Immediate Action on Climate Crisis at COP29. In order to prepare for the COP2024 in November, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal hosted a high-level meeting Monday, highlighting Pakistan’s pressing request for international assistance to address the worsening climate issue.
With recent floods making Pakistan a crucial case study on the frontlines of climate resilience and adaptation, the minister emphasized Pakistan’s extreme susceptibility to the effects of climate change.
Pakistan is both the most resilient and the worst affected by the climate issue. In spite of the severe floods in 2010 and 2022, our country has demonstrated unmatched resilience. However, the scope of these issues surpasses our capabilities and necessitates prompt international assistance,” he stated.
Although the devastating 2010 floods claimed over 2,000 lives, he pointed out that deliberate preparation measures helped lower the death toll in the 2022 floods. These efforts reduced mortality to about 1,000, although being three times as severe, highlighting the life-saving value of resilience preparation. “Our ability to reduce human casualties demonstrates that readiness is not only essential but also life-saving. But to maintain this success, more resources and knowledge are needed,” he continued.
Pakistan introduced the 4RF (Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Framework) in response to the floods of 2022, with an emphasis on bolstering infrastructure, aiding people that were at risk, and improving adaptive ability in critical areas.
The minister emphasized the necessity of launching policy initiatives that encourage regional cooperation in the run-up to COP2024. He oversaw the planning of a roundtable to discuss cooperative climate solutions with academic climate scientists, global specialists, and environmental organizations.
Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abid Qayyum Sulehri of SDPI, and Romina Khurshid Alam, Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Climate Change & Environmental Coordination, attended the meeting.
