PM Shehbaz Sharif says looking forward to participation in United Nations climate conference in Egypt

ISLAMABAD, Oct 27 (SABAH): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday Pakistan was looking forward to actively participate in a climate conference scheduled to be held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, next month.

According to an official statement circulated in Islamabad, the prime minister made the comment during a meeting with Egyptian ambassador Tarek Dahroug.

Sharif will act as the vice chairman at the upcoming United Nations climate conference, COP27, which will bring international officials, environmental experts and civil society activists from across the world to Egypt.

The prime minister was invited to co-chair the conference by President Abdul Fattah El-Sisi after Sharif internationally voiced concern over risks of climate change in the wake of the recent floods in Pakistan.

“The Prime Minister congratulated the Egyptian Government on hosting COP-27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt,” said the official statement issued after the meeting. “The Prime Minister looked forward to an active participation, including as Co-chair of the High-level Roundtable on Climate Change and Sustainability of Vulnerable Communities.Sharif’s meeting with the Egyptian envoy focused on strengthening Pakistan’s relation with the Arab country, though there was also discussion on the climate conference.

“Recalling his telephonic talk with the President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the Prime Minister appreciated the support and solidarity by Egypt in the wake of climate-induced floods which caused devastation in Pakistan,” the statement continued. “The Prime Minister underscored the need for enhanced cooperation between Pakistan and Egypt in the economic field and emphasized the importance of greater engagement at the leadership level, people-to-people contacts, and increased institutional linkages,” it added.

The recent floods in Pakistan were triggered by torrential monsoon rains which started in June and lasted for almost three months. The erratic weather situation was widely attributed to the challenge of global climate change and claimed about 1,700 lives while affecting over 33 million people. The country lost billions of dollars after the floods destroyed houses, farmlands, livestock and other public infrastructure.