NA panel discusses Pakistan’s role in climate diplomacy, result of COP-29

ISLAMABAD: The Standing Committee of the National Assembly (NA) on Foreign Affairs deliberated on Pakistan’s role in climate diplomacy, the outcomes of COP-29, and innovative solutions to deal with climate related challenges.

The meeting of the NA Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs was held with the chair of its Chairperson Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar here at Parliament House on Thursday.

The NA Standing Committee also discussed ongoing situation in Syria, focusing on humanitarian challenges, regional dynamics, and potential geopolitical shifts including evacuation efforts for safe return of Pakistanis from Syria.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials led by Foreign Secretary Ms. Amna Baloch and the Ministry of Climate Change team led by AS In-charge Ms. Aisha Humera Ch. briefed

the Committee on Pakistan’s challenges and opportunities in climate financing, carbon market operationalization, and progress on international commitments.

Members recommended fostering collaborations with global research centers and enhancing the country’s capacity to benefit from carbon markets.

While commenting on climate change and Pakistan’s diplomacy, Hina Rabbani Khar underscored Pakistan’s well recognised role in global climate leadership. She emphasized that since 80 percent of emissions were transport sector related, Pakistan should concentrate on this sector to get early results, especially because it has a direct impact on environment due to which certain cities are suffering closures.

She stated, “Pakistan can act as a bridge between developed and developing countries in climate negotiations, while safeguarding our rightful development trajectory based on natural resources, we should not suffer from inertia on encouraging research and development on novel technologies that may provide efficient solutions.”

The Committee recommended certain actionable steps including capacity building on carbon credits, strengthening research partnerships with universities and building institutional capacity to benefit from global carbon markets.

Besides the Chair, Members of the Committee Danyal Ch., M. Khan Daha, Ms. Nuzhat Sadiq, Ms. Farah Naz Akbar, Ms. Shazia Marri, Dr. M. Farooq Sattar, M. Ijaz ul Haq, Dr. Amjad Ali Khan, Khurram Munawar Manj, Ms. Shandana Gulzar Khan and Ms. Ayesha Nazir attended the meeting.