ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman represented Pakistan at the 4th meeting. of heads of ministers and agencies of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) responsible for Environmental protection is organized practically by India.
During the meeting, Minister Rehman stressed the importance critical role what the SCO can play at the regional level in achieving common goals related to environmental sustainability and climate change resilience. She also highlighted value of SCO as a forum for member states share their views on this existential crisis that is now redefining the global, regional and national priorities and responses in 21st century.
Minister Rehman said: “Sustainability of life on earth and general socio-economic development of current And future generations are now under threat. We all agree that constructive cooperation on bold climate and environmental challenges critical actively move needle and bridge the gap between promises and pipelines that we all make at the multilateral level, as well as the gap between ambition and action.”
Minister Rehman drew attention to unique position as one of ten most vulnerable countries to climate change, even though they contribute less than 1% of global Greenhouse gas emissions.
“We on front lines of climate change, weathering catastrophic floods, unbearable heat and fast- melting glaciers,” the minister said.
She drew attention to the catastrophic floods that occurred in Pakistan in 2022 flooded one-third of countries, affected 33 million people and caused over US$30 billion in economic losses and losses.
Minister Rehman also said that for Climate change has become a priority in Pakistan on all ministerial agendas, as well as the prime minister and the minister of foreign affairs of Pakistan is actively working to address the issue of climate change in national And global levels.
“We have stepped up our mitigation efforts of climate change and implement large-scale nature-based interventions, and combat pollution. Despite fact that our policy is consistent with SCO Goals and Commitments made in Paris Agreement, implementation of our team plans did not materialize, as the climate clock is ticking faster than we expected,” the minister said.
She shared details about Pakistan’s recent policies and programs such as National Clean Air Policy, National Hazardous Waste Management Policy, Clean Green Pakistan, Living Indus Initiative, creation of new national parks and expansion of specially protected natural areas and federal regulations on plastics.
In her address, Minister Rehman proposed several concrete actions for forum for consideration, such as creating a technical worksheet group exchange information And best practices on common questions, looking for opportunities for capacity building knowledge sharing and development of regional mechanisms for climate finance and carbon markets.
She also stressed that the SCO members could consider building combined voice in protection for reforming international financial architecture for transform access ways that remain blocked for providing climate finance to developing countries, especially those on Front line of accelerated climate stress.
The minister stressed that the SCO is the most important multilateral forum for cooperation and cooperation, and Pakistan remains committed to engaging with it’s to create momentum in climate action.
She also mentioned that Pakistan advocated cause for climate justice multilateralism at COP27 leading negotiation on establishment of the Loss and Damage Compensation Fund as chairman of G77+ China, demonstration of goals successfully is achieved when countries cooperate for compound public goals.
In addition, she expressed confidence that the SCO members can contribute to future dialogues on capitalization of the Loss and Damage Fund under the auspices of the UNFCCC.
The minister concluded: “Climate change knows no boundaries. need for effective use of this forum, using our respective comparative advantages and sharing experiences and working on our common goal of Climate change mitigation and adaptation is need of hour. We must act now to ensure stable future for generations come.”
The meeting was headed by a ministerial delegation of the SCO member states. of China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Russia and Uzbekistan.
In a joint statement, the SCO members emphasized need strengthen cooperation in field of information exchange, preservation of biological resources, climate change adaptation and mitigation of its consequences.
They reaffirmed their commitment to the principles of Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement, and stressed need To ensure a holistic approach to combating climate change.
