PESHAWAR: Pakistan emphasised its commitment to sustainable development and called for global cooperation and support for developing countries to address climate challenges at the recent COP-28 climate conference.
Arif Gohar, principal scientific officer at the Global Change Impact Studies Center at the Ministry of Climate Change, said that Pakistan addressed some of the most pressing issues related to the rapidly growing climate crisis and its impacts at COP28.
He said that Pakistan effectively presented its case on the risks of the uncertain future of climate change, and highlighted the government’s actions to address the negative impacts of climate change, in order to protect people’s lives from potential disasters.
Pakistan also expressed its commitment to moving forward on the path to sustainable development, in line with the aspirations of the global community to address climate change.
Gohar further said that Pakistan’s aim is to remind developed countries of their important responsibility to provide assistance to countries that are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The emphasis on “equity and justice” in global climate policies signals Pakistan’s demand for a fair and inclusive approach, a perspective that acknowledges the historical and economic disparities between nations.
“Pakistan should focus on long-term technical assistance and build its internal capacity to better respond to future natural disasters,” Gohar said.
Saheel Malik, a climate expert at the Climate Resource Coordination Center, said that the floods affected the poorest households in the poorest districts, as well as those sections of the country where human development outcomes were affected. The government is working on strategic recovery objectives and strengthening state coordination and capacity to rebuild the lives and livelihoods of affected people.
In response to the unprecedented devastation caused by last year’s torrential rains and floods, which affected 33 million people and caused $30 billion in economic losses, the government took various measures.
The cabinet recently approved the 2023 National Adaptation Plan, with a primary focus on protecting communities at risk from climate change. This strategic initiative includes joint efforts by the government and stakeholders to implement protective measures, early warning systems, and effective responses to emergencies.
“The NAP 2023 is built around six key pillars, each focusing on a key area of climate adaptation and resilience, water resources management, and agriculture and food security,” Malik said.
According to research, COP28 is the 28th annual climate conference of the United Nations, where governments from different countries discuss ways to limit and prepare for climate change in the future. The summit took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 30 to December 12, 2023.
