CAPE TOWN, September 16, 2026: National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has highlighted the growing climate and water challenges facing Pakistan during the 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Cape Town, calling for stronger parliamentary cooperation and practical solutions to address climate-related risks.
The conference, being held in Cape Town from September 13 to 18, has brought together parliamentary leaders, legislators and officials from across the Commonwealth. Its theme is “Strengthening International Law and Parliamentary Democracy in a Changing World Order: Commonwealth Leadership.”
During his address, the Pakistani Speaker highlighted issues linked to water security and climate change, including water scarcity, sudden changes in river flows and the need for responsible management of shared water resources.
He also presented a six-point plan aimed at strengthening cooperation on climate and environmental challenges and encouraging parliamentary action to address growing risks.
Pakistan is among the countries highly vulnerable to climate change despite its relatively small contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. The National Assembly Speaker has previously stressed that climate change requires collective international action and stronger cooperation among countries.
The climate discussions are particularly relevant for Pakistan, where changing rainfall patterns, floods, water shortages and extreme weather events are placing increasing pressure on communities, agriculture, infrastructure and water resources.
The 69th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference includes a dedicated workshop on “Parliamentary Leadership in Promoting Climate Adaptation and Resilience,” reflecting the growing focus on adaptation and resilience within parliamentary discussions.
An Indian parliamentary delegation is also participating in the conference. According to India’s Parliament-related official information, the delegation is led by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh and includes members from both houses, while representatives from Indian state and union territory legislatures are also attending.
The conference provides an international parliamentary platform for discussing shared challenges, including climate change, environmental protection, water security and sustainable development, while encouraging dialogue and cooperation among member countries.
Pakistan’s participation has also included bilateral parliamentary engagements on the sidelines of the conference. Speaker Ayaz Sadiq recently met Uganda’s Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth, with climate change identified among potential areas of future cooperation.
The discussions underline the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in building cooperation on climate resilience, water security and sustainable development, particularly as climate-related risks increasingly cross national borders.
