PM Shehbaz says the devastating floods have made Pakistan ground zero of climate change
NEW YORK, Sep 21 (SABAH): Prime Minister Main Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, on the sidelines of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Noting that “the devastating floods have made Pakistan ground zero of climate change”, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated John Kerry’s personal leadership in raising awareness and seeking solutions to the climate change crisis. He acknowledged the important role being played by the Biden Administration to address climate change.
The Prime Minister conveyed gratitude for immediate U.S. assistance in the wake of the devastating floods in Pakistan. He emphasized the need for continued support from the international community, not only in the immediate recovery and relief efforts, but also during the subsequent reconstruction and rehabilitation phase.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed that Pakistan contributed less than 1% of the global greenhouse gas emissions; yet it was among the ten most vulnerable countries to climate change. With over 1400 casualties; 33 million people displaced as climate refugees, out of which over six hundred thousand were pregnant women; four million acres of crops destroyed; entire villages and livelihoods swept away; Pakistan was facing an unprecedented natural disaster.
The Prime Minister underscored the importance of United States’ leadership in enabling developing countries including Pakistan to deliver on their climate action commitments under the Paris Agreement by providing sufficient tools in the shape of Climate Finance, Technology Transfer and Capacity Building Assistance.
Special Envoy Kerry expressed solidarity with the people and Government of Pakistan and reaffirmed the U.S. Administration’s continued support in facing the challenges due to the floods. He said that the U.S. was ready to engage with Pakistan to collaborate in rebuilding resilient infrastructure as well as other forms of support that would avert such a crisis in future.
Both sides agreed to continue to closely focus on climate change and energy dialogue.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has stressed for a collective action to deal with climate change.
In a tweet on Wednesday regarding his interactions with the world leaders in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, the Prime Minister said he apprised them of the flood disaster in Pakistan.
Shehbaz Sharif said he also told them that Pakistan is keen to build partnerships in the realms of trade and economy.
“In my interactions with the world leaders on the sidelines of #UNGA Session, I apprised them of the flood disaster & highlighted the need for a collective action to deal with climate change. I also told them Pakistan is keen to build partnerships in the realms of trade & economy” PM Shehbaz Sharif tweeted.
Meanwhile in a separate tweet, PM Shehbaz Sharif said that my brother President Recep Tayyip Erdogan highlights the need for the continued international assistance to help Pakistan deal with the disastrous floods. We thank the President for his consistent support for rights of Kashmiris of IIOJK.
Meanwhile in another tweet, PM Shehbaz Sharif said that thank you
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres for your strong advocacy of the plight of flood victims and drawing world’s attention to the most urgent actionable issue of climate change. He said that the international community should move away from talking about climate to acting together.