Islamabad, Nov 7: Romina Emphasizes Pakistan’s Strong Commitment to Environmental Protection Initiatives. Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, Romina Khurshid Alam, stated that Pakistan is prioritizing environmental conservation, climate and glaciological research, management of protected areas, ecotourism, and the socio-economic advancement of mountain communities.
During a press conference co-hosted by the Ministry of Climate Change and EvK2CNR, which marked the launch of “The new inventory of 13,032 glaciers in Pakistan: the ‘glaciers and students’ project,” the PM’s aide praised the Italian government for its support to Pakistan, especially in Gilgit-Baltistan.
She also noted the contributions of EvK2CNR and UNDP in conducting extensive research to develop the new glaciers inventory of Pakistan, which uncovered the notable number of 13032 glaciers in the country. She emphasized the climate change challenges that Pakistan is encountering and highlighted the necessity for international cooperation.
Romina mentioned that Pakistan has been dealing with disasters related to climate change for a long time, resulting in considerable loss of life and property. She noted that in recent years, the frequency and severity of these disasters have escalated, highlighting the profound effects of global warming and climate change on our nation.
She pointed out that Gilgit-Baltistan is one of the areas most impacted, facing specific vulnerabilities that require immediate and ongoing efforts, especially from reliable international partners like Italy. According to her, the Pakistani government, through the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, highly values initiatives that tackle climate change, promote environmental research and monitoring, and encourage sustainable practices in ecotourism and the management of protected areas.
This initiative underscores the significance of global collaboration in addressing the climate emergency, and I want to acknowledge the UNDP’s role as the executing agency, collaborating with EvK2CNR,” she stated. “The backing from the Italian government and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation has been crucial in enhancing Pakistan’s ability to tackle the climate crisis.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Government of Italy for its ongoing partnership, and I am optimistic that this support will expand, aiding Pakistan in confronting the serious climate challenges that lie ahead,” Romina Alam remarked.
Marilina Armellini, the Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan, Francesco Zatta, Director of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative of UNDP Pakistan, environmental specialists from EvK2CNR, and officials from the climate ministry attended the press conference.
During the press conference, Ambassador Marilina Armellini emphasized the strong connections between Italy and Pakistan, reflecting on their historical relationship spanning over a century. She noted that the Italian government has been involved in various projects in Pakistan for nearly thirty years. She reaffirmed her commitment to continuing this support in the future for sustainable development.
Samuel Rizk provided a summary of the glaciers project and the accomplishments achieved in collaboration with partners from Italy and Pakistan. He mentioned that the UNDP is partnering with both local and international organizations in Pakistan, such as AICS and EvK2CNR, to address the challenges posed by climate change and to support vulnerable communities in climate adaptation and mitigation.
Experts from EvK2CNR, Maurizio Gallo and Dr. Davide Fugazza, emphasized the outcomes of the Glaciers and Students initiative and the remarkable achievement of cataloging 13032 glaciers in Pakistan, which serves as a valuable resource for the country’s drinking and irrigation water requirements. They noted that eight Automatic Weather Stations have been established in Gilgit-Baltistan to assist with environmental monitoring.
The participants were informed that during these studies, Karakoram International University. The University of Baltistan, the Environmental Protection Agency of Gilgit-Baltistan, and Italian universities. Including the University of Milan and the University of Cagliari, played crucial roles. A notable success of the project was the participation of around 171 female students from Gilgit-Baltistan throughout these studies.
