- Calls for increased financing to counter effects of climate change
- Leaves for US after wrapping up two-day visit to Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for substantial increase in financing to the developing countries for adaptation resilience to counter the negative effects of climate change.
In an interview with PTV, aired on Sunday he said, “It is crucial that financial support to the developing countries in relation to adaptation resilience increases substantially.”
“We need $300 billion for the adaptation of developing countries. Strong responsibility is needed for that.”
Guterres said losses and damages to the environment were foreseen in the Paris agreement but there was no progress or serious discussion on the issue.
He was hopeful that progress would take place on the issue of climate change during upcoming discussions at the international level.
Talking about the destruction caused by the floods in Pakistan, he said, “I have no words to describe what I have seen as the flooded area is three times larger than my country Portugal.”
“I saw an unprecedented natural disaster, clearly caused by climate change and the people suffered enormously. People lost their houses, crops, cattle, livelihoods and some of them have to pay the loans that they asked for in order to plant crops. It is a human tragedy of an enormous dimension.”
The UN Secretary General said at the same time he was deeply moved and inspired when he heard the stories of women and men who had abandoned their houses in order to go and rescue the neighbours to safety.
These examples of generosity, solidarity and courage make him feel that the world has the responsibility to massively support Pakistan, he said adding the dimension of the problem was enormous and the country did not have the resources to make their people and economy recover from the disaster.
“We need to stop the war on nature. The nature is striking back with devastating consequences in Pakistan and other parts of the world,” he remarked.
He said the victims of the natural disasters were not that polluted but the victims were in those places that were less protected against the nature due to climate change.
“The international support is not a matter of generosity but a matter of justice. We must raise awareness and we must speak loudly against the tragedy.”
Pakistan needs global response
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres left for the US on Sunday after wrapping up his two-day visit to Pakistan while reiterating that the natural calamity which has hit the south Asian country needs global response.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah saw him off at Karachi Airport this morning.
The UN chief paid the visit on 9th and 10th of this month to show solidarity with the people of Pakistan who are braving a colossal climate-induced natural disaster caused by unprecedented rains and floods across the country.
During his visit he called for substantial and sustained support and solidarity from the international community to overcome the enormous challenges posed by the unprecedented climate induced floods in Pakistan.
Besides high-level meetings, briefings, interactions with displaced people, UN country representatives, civil society and media, he also visited flood affected areas of Sindh and Balochistan, where he was given an overview of the rescue and relief efforts of the Government of Pakistan and national and international partners. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accompanied him during his visit to flood-hit areas.
Talking to media on Saturday, the foreign dignitary observed that Pakistan had no resources to compensate for the loss of lives, crops and livestock.
“Those who had created such situation must massively support Pakistan as Pakistan can’t do it alone. I am not asking for generosity, but for justice,” he added.
The UN secretary-general said the countries vulnerable to climate change including Pakistan must be supported to rebuild resilient communities and infrastructure to resist future disasters. He also called for a reduction in emissions.
