LAHORE – World Bank’s Global Director for Climate Change Valerie Hickey hailed Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif a “Climate Change Warrior” and “Climate Leader,” declaring her a rising environmental force from South Asia.
During special meeting in Lahore, Hickey said that Maryam Nawaz Sharif emerged as the voice of the Global South, leading from the front on climate action. “Maryam Nawaz Sharif has emerged as a Climate Change Warrior from South Asia!” she said, applauding the Chief Minister’s bold stance on environmental justice.
World Bank has not only praised Punjab’s green initiatives but also invited the province to join the Global Carbon Market, assuring full cooperation and long-term partnership for sustainable development. Hickey commended Punjab’s proactive measures in the Clean Punjab initiative, AQI improvement, transport reforms, forestation, and wildlife protection projects, calling them “symbols of Punjab’s global recognition and environmental commitment.”
“As a woman Chief Minister,” Hickey said with admiration, “you have become a symbol of determination, creativity, and resilience in the fight for a cleaner, greener planet.”
World Bank quoted three powerful excerpts from Maryam Nawaz’s recent climate speech that deeply moved her. “Your words, ‘COP30 should be remembered not as a forum of rhetoric but as a pledge of firm commitment,’ truly inspired me,” Hickey told CM. “You were absolutely right when you said, ‘The Global South has emerged not as a protest, but as a purposeful voice,’ and I couldn’t agree more with your statement that, ‘Environmental improvement is not charity, it is justice.’”
She also praised Punjab government’s decision to move forward on environmental reforms without waiting for anyone else, calling it “a rare and courageous step.”
In response, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif thanked the World Bank for its confidence and appreciation. She reaffirmed her commitment, saying: “I want to make Punjab not just a regional example but a global model of environmental excellence.”
CM Maryam Nawaz takes centre stage at COP30 with Punjab’s Green Revolution Vision
