PM’s coordinator on climate change, Romina Khursheed Alam Wednesday said the government warmly welcomed close collaboration and partnership with United States on climate initiatives aiming at bolstering its nation’s climate resilience, mitigation and adaptation efforts.
She was addressing the launching ceremony of the USAID’s Pakistan climate financing activity, a news release said.
While highlighting the disastrous affects of global warming on Pakistan, she said Pakistan produced less than 1 percent of world’s carbon footprint, but it was suffering serious consequences of climate change.
According to global climate risk index Pakistan was currently the fifth most climate vulnerable country in the world, she added.
She noted that in the wake of 2022 floods one third of country was deluged under water with 81 districts of Pakistan declared calamity hit and about 33000000 people affected. All this is a clear indication of our perturbed ecology, she underscored.
While emphasizing on the climate resilience, Romina Khursheed Alam stressed upon region wise solutions, focusing on public private partnership by bringing in banks, real estate and industries.
She remarked that climate sustainability was the greatest need of the hour as it was matter of everyone living on this planet.
Thee coordinator concluded with the assurance of fullest support of government of Pakistan to this initiative of USAID. Meanwhile
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Pakistan on Wednesday launched the Pakistan Climate Financing Activity, an up to $10 million, four-year endeavor aimed at bolstering sustainability and climate resilience in Pakistan.
Funded through USAID, this initiative underscores the steadfast commitment of the U.S. government to foster responsible stewardship of natural resources and combat the climate crisis. It represents a significant stride towards fulfilling the objectives outlined in the U.S.-Pakistan “Green Alliance” framework.
The USAID Pakistan Climate Financing Activity will help facilitate Pakistan’s transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. Through targeted technical assistance, the initiative aims to mobilize both public and private, domestic and international finance for climate mitigation, resilience, and adaptation efforts.
At the launch event held in the federal capital, notable attendees included representatives from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, representatives from the provincial departments of the Government of Pakistan, as well as representatives from the private sectors, development partners, decision-makers from Pakistan’s financial sector, and academia.
Addressing the audience on Wednesday, USAID Deputy Mission Director Maura O’Brien emphasized, “The USAID Pakistan Climate Financing Activity will support innovative projects tailored to Pakistan’s context, scaling up efforts to build climate resilience. Through evidence-based solutions, this activity aims to advance Pakistan’s capacity to respond to climate change effectively. I am confident that the Pakistan Climate Financing Activity will bridge gaps and fulfill existing needs – and ultimately advance Pakistan’s capacity to respond to climate change effectively.”
Echoing USAID’s sentiments, coordinator to Prime Minister on Climate Change Rumeena Khurshid stated, “The Government of Pakistan warmly welcomes this initiative from the United States, aimed at bolstering our nation’s climate resilience, mitigation, and adaptation efforts. While Pakistan has made strides in fostering an innovative climate landscape, financial constraints remain a significant impediment. This activity will serve as a catalyst for concerted action, bringing together government, private sector, environmental experts, and development partners to tackle the challenges posed by climate change.”
The USAID Pakistan Climate Financing Activity aligns with USAID’s global flagship initiative to enhance climate investment in vulnerable and emerging markets. By de-risking and catalyzing climate finance equitably, this initiative aims to leverage both public and private sector investments to fortify Pakistan’s capacity for climate resilience and adaptation.
