Australia takes climate change as matter of national security: envoy

Islamabad:Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Neil Hawkins on Wednesday stressed the significance of climate change and environmental risks.

"Australia, like Pakistan, views these issues [climate change and environmental hazards] as matters of national security. The similarities between the two countries, both frequently affected by natural disasters such as forest fires and floods. Australia has been assisting Pakistan in addressing these challenges through knowledge-sharing and expertise in sustainable agriculture and water management," the envoy told the ‘Diplomatic Reflections’ forum at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) here.

Mr Hawkins delved into the theme ‘Australia’s Strategic Environment and Relations with Pakistan’ and highlighted the deep historical ties and future collaborative efforts between the two nations.

He drew attention to the "rich history that binds Australia and Pakistan" and noted that the links between the peoples of Australia and today's Pakistan dated back more than a century. "From 1860 to 1920, around 2,000 cameleers from Balochistan played a crucial role in exploring Australia's deserts, transporting essential supplies to remote towns, building railways, and supporting gold mining. These Baloch cameleers also introduced Islam to Australia, constructing the country's first mosque in Maree, South Australia, in 1884." The high commissioner also commemorated the Pakistani soldiers, then part of the British Indian Army, who served alongside Australian troops at Gallipoli during World War I.

He said formal diplomatic relations between the two countries commenced with Pakistan's independence in 1948. Today, this partnership is underpinned by strong people-to-people links and a shared commitment to promoting gender equality and climate resilience. Mr Hawkins emphasised the importance of climate change and environmental hazards, noting that Australia, like Pakistan, views these issues as matters of national security.

He highlighted the similarities between the two countries, both frequently affected by natural disasters such as forest fires and floods. The high commissioner pointed out that Australia had been assisting Pakistan in addressing those challenges through knowledge-sharing and expertise in sustainable agriculture and water management.

He said the current year marked the 40th anniversary of agricultural cooperation between Australia and Pakistan under the auspices of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. Mr Hawkins lauded the progress made from 1984 to 2024, with Australian expertise playing a pivotal role in promoting sustainable agriculture in Pakistan.

He expressed concern over the depleting water table in Sindh and Punjab provinces and underscored the importance of effective water management and sustainable agricultural practices. The envoy emphasised Australia's role in aiding Pakistan through knowledge-sharing initiatives. He also highlighted the need for more wastewater treatment plants, to ensure the quality of water.

"With 77 per cent of Pakistan's renewable water originating from outside its borders, better water management is vital for the country's future," he said, adding that Australian farmers trade surplus water to optimise the use of the precious resource.

Mr Hawkins said that Australia’s goal was to achieve a strategic equilibrium where no country dominated or was dominated, where sovereignty is respected and for a predictable region that operates by rules and norms. He emphasised that all countries, including Pakistan, had a role in maintaining stability in the region. "To help deter conflict, protect trade routes and promote a strategic equilibrium, Australia is investing in some nuclear-powered but conventionally armed submarines," he said. The Australian high commissioner also took questions from the audience and provided detailed responses on concerns over security, trade, and education.