Govt hails UNDP support for tackling climate risks

Islamabad:The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Pakistan and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination have pledged to deepen their collaboration to enhance climate resilience in Pakistan. This development emerged following a meeting between Van Nguyen, UNDP-Pakistan's Deputy Resident Representative, and Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change.

During the meeting, Nguyen and Alam extensively discussed various aspects of climate risk mitigation, including finance for adaptation, agricultural insurance, and urban flood resilience. Nguyen highlighted the Global Shield against Climate Risks initiative, designed to provide pre-arranged financial protection for climate-vulnerable countries like Pakistan. Nguyen detailed the initiative's objective to offer immediate, trigger-based financial resources to support economies, businesses, and communities affected by climate-related disasters. The initiative aims to close protection gaps and provide comprehensive support to understand and manage climate risks effectively.

Alam expressed gratitude for the UNDP’s continued support, emphasizing the critical need for financial protection and disaster preparedness. She acknowledged that Pakistan faces severe climate impacts, such as frequent and intense storms, droughts, and floods, which threaten sustainable development and human survival.

Alam committed to leveraging all available opportunities to protect vulnerable communities and sectors like agriculture and water from climate impacts. She underscored the importance of rapid and efficient financial responses to climate disasters, which the Global Shield initiative promises to deliver.

The strengthened partnership between UNDP-Pakistan and the Climate Ministry marks a significant step towards building climate resilience and addressing climate-related losses and damages in Pakistan.