Sindh, Iran’s Khorasan Razavi province sign multiple MoUs

KARACHI: The governments of Sindh and Iran’s Khorasan Razavi province signed multiple memoranda of understanding (MoUs) at a ceremony on Wednesday to foster economic cooperation and cultural exchange. Sindh was represented by its Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, and Khorasan Razavi by its Governor General Dr Gholam Hossein Mozaffari.

The agreements are aimed at strengthening bilateral trade, technological collaboration and cultural partnerships between the two regions, as well as creating economic and investment opportunities in several key sectors.

Shah said that the major focus of the MoUs is to build strong relationships between industrialists, businessmen and entrepreneurs from both regions, enabling them to work together for mutual economic growth.

Beyond economic cooperation, the agreements also emphasise tourism and cultural exchange, with plans to organise art and food festivals, promote visual arts and music exchanges through bilateral exhibitions, and enhance collaboration between private and public sectors to facilitate tourism at a broader level.

Additionally, technological research and development will be a key area of collaboration, such as technological transfer and commercialisation of IT startups, tech-enabling environments and competitive exhibitions to foster new ventures, networking and knowledge exchange between institutions, and shared access to research facilities, laboratories and office spaces for joint projects.

Shah said the agreements build upon the historical, cultural and religious ties between Pakistan and Iran. He said Iran was the first country to recognise Pakistan after the latter’s independence, while Pakistan was among the first nations to recognise Iran after the 1979 revolution. “These long-standing relations have been strengthened over the years through high-level engagements and diplomatic exchanges.” Dr Mozaffari said the agreements mark a new chapter of cooperation between Pakistan and Iran, paving the way for greater economic integration, technological innovation and cultural connectivity between the two neighbouring countries.

Climate conference

Later, speaking at the 3rd Pakistan Climate Conference, hosted by the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industry at a hotel, Shah disclosed that his government has restored approximately 160,000 hectares of mangroves in the Indus Delta, and earned $14.747 million through the sale of 2.88 mtCO2e carbon credits.

This initiative is recognised as one of the largest mangrove restoration efforts in the world. Additionally, around 100,000 hectares of mature mangroves have been protected through a watch and ward system that engages local communities with monthly remuneration.

Shah noted that between 2008 and 2024 Pakistan achieved three Guinness World Records for the most trees or saplings planted in a single day. “In 2009 the Sindh government surpassed India’s previous record of 450,000 by planting 541,176 plants at Keti Bundar.”

He said the Delta Blue Carbon-1 and Delta Blue Carbon-2 projects have been under way under a public-private partnership in the mangroves of the Indus Delta since 2015 and 2020 respectively.

These projects have an estimated carbon credit potential of 200 mtCO2e over 30 years, he added. “One tranche of carbon credits has been sold for 2.88 mtCO2e, generating $14.747 million in December 2022. The second tranche of carbon credit sales is expected this March.”

He pointed out that the public-private partnership model is now being replicated in the riverine forests of Sindh, aimed at developing these forests to earn carbon credits and improve the local environment.

He highlighted Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change, noting its status as the fifth most climate-vulnerable nation. “Climate change is not a distant phenomenon; it is a reality that affects us all. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events and the looming threat of sea-level rise present an existential challenge for Sindh and Pakistan.”

Referring to the devastating 2022 floods, which damaged 2.2 million acres of agricultural land, he underscored the dire economic and environmental impacts on Sindh. With agriculture, water resources and biodiversity under threat, he stressed the importance of urgent collective action.

He announced several initiatives to address these challenges, including climate-resilient agriculture, and introducing drought-resistant crops and water-efficient farming practices through partnerships with corporations under the Sindh Irrigated Agriculture Productivity Enhancement Project.