ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has begun preparations for a Global Environment Facility (GEF)-supported project aimed at strengthening marine biodiversity conservation and the sustainable management of fisheries resources.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs (MoMA) and the Marine Fisheries Department (MFD), launched the project preparation process at a kick-off meeting held at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination.
The meeting reviewed the Project Preparation Grant (PPG) phase, including planned activities, timelines, institutional arrangements and mechanisms for implementing the project.
The initiative seeks to improve coordination among government institutions and development partners to support the sustainable management and conservation of Pakistan’s marine biodiversity and fisheries resources.
The meeting was chaired by Mahmood Hassan, Additional Secretary-II and GEF Operational Focal Point for Pakistan.
FAO was represented by Emmah Kamau, Head of Operations; Dr Kanwar Muhammad Javed Iqbal, Senior Technical Specialist and National Coordinator; and Naveed Babar, Operations Focal Person. International FAO and GEF experts also participated virtually.
Representing the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Marine Fisheries Department were Dr Mansoor Ali Wassan, Director General, Marine Fisheries Department; Dr Hafeez ur Rehman, Fisheries Development Commissioner; and Muhammad Farhan Khan, Assistant Fisheries Development Commissioner.
The project preparation marks an effort to strengthen institutional cooperation for protecting Pakistan’s marine ecosystems while supporting sustainable fisheries and the long-term conservation of marine resources.
