ISLAMABAD, Aug 29: Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Malik has called for a long-term strategy to address Pakistan’s growing climate risks, including increasing flood threats and other climate-related disasters.
Speaking at a ceremony in Islamabad on Saturday, Malik said Pakistan was among the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and was already facing serious consequences. He stressed the need for stronger preparedness, resilience and coordinated action among relevant institutions.
Call for stronger climate preparedness
The minister said government departments and institutions needed to work together to improve the country’s ability to prepare for and respond to climate-related emergencies.
He emphasized that effective planning, advance preparedness and institutional coordination were essential to reducing the human, economic and environmental costs of floods and other natural disasters.
Malik also highlighted the importance of strengthening the capacity of local communities, particularly those living in areas vulnerable to climate-related hazards, so they can better prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Pakistan seeks international climate support
The minister said Pakistan also required greater international cooperation, financial assistance and technical resources to deal with the effects of a changing climate.
He urged countries with greater capacity to undertake climate action to support vulnerable nations facing severe consequences despite having contributed relatively less to global climate change.
According to Malik, Pakistan is continuing to raise the issue of climate justice at international forums and seek stronger support for countries bearing a disproportionate share of climate-related impacts.
Focus on adaptation and disaster risk reduction
Malik called for policies that bring together environmental protection, climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
He said a coordinated approach was necessary to strengthen Pakistan’s resilience and protect communities from increasingly frequent and severe climate-related threats.
The minister reiterated that long-term planning and stronger institutional capacity would be critical to managing the country’s climate risks and improving preparedness for future disasters.
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