FM Bilawal stresses ‘a peaceful, stable, prosperous Afghanistan is a priority for Pakistan’
NEW YORK, Sep 20 (SABAH): Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stressed “a peaceful, stable, prosperous Afghanistan is a priority for Pakistan” when US Special Representative for Afghanistan, Thomas West called on him on Tuesday in New York.
The Foreign Minister stressed the significance of continuing international engagement with the interim Afghan government for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan and beyond.
The Foreign Minister highlighted Pakistan’s facilitative efforts in building regional consensus on the way forward in Afghanistan, including through the Extended Troika mechanism.
He also highlighted various steps taken by Pakistan to support bilateral engagements with Afghanistan, as well as extensive facilitation of international humanitarian assistance.
Referring to humanitarian prospects in Afghanistan, which United Nations and international agencies warn will deteriorate further in impending winters, the Foreign Minister stressed that such a scenario could result in mass refugee exodus and provide fertile ground for exploitation by terrorists/ extremists, with regional and international implications.
US Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan, and in facilitation of evacuations.
The two sides acknowledged the need for continued cooperation on the shared objectives of sustained efforts and engagement of the international community to alleviate the sufferings of the Afghan people and promote regional peace and stability.
Meanwhile Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari chaired a High-Level Event on ‘Loss & Damage: New and Additional Financing’ organized by Pakistan on sidelines of the 77th UNGA Session in New York.
The event was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, Sameh Shoukry (COP-27 Presidency), all major blocs in the climate change negotiations, as well as representative of the Green Climate Fund. Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar also attended the meeting.
In his opening remarks, the Foreign Minister highlighted that the recent catastrophic floods in Pakistan were a clear manifestation of the unprecedented frequency and intensity of extreme climate events. The Foreign Minister mentioned that the floods impacted one in seven Pakistanis (33 million). Initial estimates suggested that the total damage caused by this climate-induced disaster could be upward of $30 billion, equivalent to 10% of Pakistan’s GDP.
The Foreign Minister emphasized that over the years, the developing countries have disproportionately suffered from the vagaries of climate change while contributing a miniscule amount to the Green House Gas (GHG) emissions. For example, while contributing only 0.8% to GHG emissions, Pakistan was consistently among the top 10 most vulnerable countries in the world vis-à-vis the impact of climate change.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari highlighted the proposal put forward by Pakistan, as Chair of the G77 and China, to include discussions of Loss and Damage finance as an Agenda item at the upcoming COP27, and expressed hope that a decision would be reached for a financial mechanism to compensate developing countries for “loss and damage”.
The Minister also proposed creation of a separate loss and damage financing window by the international financial institutions, including development of a standing debt restructuring modality by the IMF for generating an immediate response to climate-induced natural disasters in the developing countries.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry agreed that Loss and Damage was a reality that would need to be addressed at CoP27 in a holistic manner. He also referred to the UN Secretary-General’s call on “Early Warning Systems”, which could play an effective role in averting and minimizing the loss and damage from climate disasters.
The representative from the Green Climate Fund, Dr, German Velasquez, provided an overview of the existing financial windows particularly in the context of readiness support for national adaptation plans.
Ministers & Climate Change Ambassadors from participating Member States also provided their perspectives on the Way Forward for addressing the issue of Loss & Damage. The participants appreciated Pakistan’s role as Chair of G77 and China and broadly supported the Group’s request for discussion on Loss and Damage finance as a separate agenda item.
Expressing Pakistan’s full support for Egypt’s Presidency, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stressed the need for concrete outcomes on Loss & Damage from COP27.
Meanwhile Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari met his Norwegian counterpart Ms. Anniken Huitfeldt in New York on Tuesday on sidelines of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The Foreign Ministers reviewed the state of bilateral relations and agreed to continue joint efforts to further strengthen and diversify cooperation particularly in trade, investment, development and other areas. They underlined the importance of early conclusion of Free Trade Agreement between Pakistan and European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
Noting the presence of prominent Norwegian companies in Pakistan, the Foreign Minister hoped that more companies would benefit from the government’s attractive investment policy.
Both Ministers appreciated the positive contribution of Pakistani diaspora in Norway. The Foreign Minister also underlined the importance of enhancing legal migration opportunities for Pakistanis.
On Afghanistan, the Foreign Minister reiterated Pakistan’s firm support for sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan and underlined the need for continued engagement of the international community with the Afghan interim authorities to help address the challenges confronting the Afghan people. Norway reiterated its appreciation for Pakistan’s facilitation in the evacuation process from Afghanistan.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari briefed the Norwegian Foreign Minister about the devastation caused by the catastrophic floods in Pakistan and appreciated the support extended by Norway.
Both sides noted the importance of UN and multilateralism. The Foreign Minister underscored the need for peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant UNSC resolutions.
The two Foreign Ministers agreed to keep close contact to advance cooperation in areas of mutual interest.