ISLAMABAD, Oct 24 (APP):Chairperson Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Senator Sherry Rehman on Thursday said that P
akistan Sustainability Summit highlighted its vulnerability to climate change, especially given its disproportionate impact on developing
countries.
P
akistan Sustainability Summit was organized by the Development Communications Network (Devcom-P
akistan) with the technical support of P
akistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) here and Sherry Rehman was the chief guest of the closing session, said that P
akistan needs to equip its communities and institutions to face the challenges of the day such as floods, droughts, and glacial melt.
She called for climate justice and demanded fair climate financing for
countries like P
akistan, urging developed nations to fulfill their commitments under the Paris Agreement.
The senator emphasized the need for global financial support to help developing
countries adapt to climate impacts and transition to greener economies.
Sherry Rehman said, ”P
akistan has spearheaded several policy initiatives to mitigate the effects of climate change, but implementation remains very low at the grass-root level, especially to promote climate-resilient agriculture, water conservation efforts, and transitioning to clean energy sources.
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed termed the event first step towards the long journey of mainstreaming of sustainability concepts, adding that P
akistan is going through the “climate emergency”, especially following the devastating 2022 floods, which displaced millions and caused billions in damages.
He called for a comprehensive response to the crisis, emphasizing the urgency of climate adaptation and disaster management.
Devcom-P
akistan Executive Director Munir Ahmed said that the sustainability regime is essential to ensure the responsible use of resources, protect the environment, and support long-term economic and social well-being. It addressed critical issues like climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, promoting practices that balance economic growth with environmental protection, healthy ecosystems for wholesome life, and social injustices, he added.
“As global environmental challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and biodiversity loss intensify, P
akistan faces an urgent need to transition toward sustainable development. In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the P
akistan Sustainability Summit aimed to bring together key stakeholders to explore actionable strategies and promote green practices across various sectors.
He said that the summit would foster collaboration among government agencies, private enterprises, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and academia to create an environmentally resilient P
akistan.
Among others who spoke on the occasion included Director General Pak-EPA Farzana Altaf Shah, Executive Director Devcom-P
akistan Munir Ahmed, Country Director ILO P
akistan Geir Thomas Tonstol, Officer-in-Charge of UNESCO Office in P
akistan Antony Kar Hung Tam, Scientific Advisor Italian INGO EvK2CNR Ashiq Ahmed Khan, World Bank Consultant Water and Climate Change Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, CEO WTTC Sadaf Khalid Khan, Director (Lab & NEQs) Pak-EPA Dr M Zaigham Abbas, Managing Director PTDC Aftab ur Rehman Rana, Head of Environment at the Bestway Cement Farrukh Ahmed, General Manager Sustainability at the Capital Smart City Muhammad Ali Naseer, President National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) Vice Admiral (retired) Ahmed Saeed, CEO Centre for Climate Diplomacy Amna Munawar Malik, Deputy director Environment KP government, and Deputy Head of the Ma
laysian High Commission Mr. Mohammad Sayafik Firdaus.
