The United States on Thursday announced a $4.5 million programme from its Department of Agriculture to strengthen fertilizer efficiency and effectiveness for Pakistani farmers among other initiatives at the conclusion of the second meeting of the US and Pakistan Climate and Environment Working Group.
Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman and the US Department of State’s Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Monica Medina led their respective sides, a joint news release said.
The officials and experts engaged on climate and environmental issues, including climate change, energy transition, water management, climate-smart agriculture, air quality, biodiversity, and waste management, including plastics recycling.
The two sides discussed the impacts of the devastating floods in Pakistan in 2022 and emphasized the importance of building resilience to the impacts of climate change.
The United States expressed support for Pakistan’s “Living Indus” initiative to restore the ecological health of the Indus River Basin. The two governments recommitted to tackling the climate crisis through cooperation on climate change mitigation and adaptation. Both governments resolved to continue deepening their bilateral partnership through the US-Pakistan “Green Alliance” framework. The “Green Alliance” would help the two countries jointly face the climate, environmental, and economic needs of the present and future, especially through partnerships on agriculture, water, and clean energy.
Regarding agriculture, the two sides discussed the importance of adopting modern farming practices and innovative seed varieties to bolster resilience against climate change.
On water management, the governments identified technical assistance, governance, and water efficiency mechanisms as areas ripe for cooperation. They emphasized the importance of supporting nature-based solutions and building community resilience to climate change.—APP
