MoU for improvement in Karakoram Park inked

Islamabad

The Italian Agency for Development and Cooperation and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) together with EvK2CNR signed a memorandum of understanding in a ceremony on Wednesday, agreeing to work on a project titled ‘Improvement of the Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP) Management System as a Model for Mountain Ecosystems in Northern Pakistan’.

According to announcement made by Italian Embassy here stating the project will also cover the Deosai National Park. Benedetto Della Vedova, Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is visiting Pakistan to attend the agreement signing ceremony.

Notable guests included Zahid Hamid, Federal Minister for Climate Change, Hafeez ur Rehman, Chief Minister, Gilgit-Baltistan, Stefano Pontecorvo, Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan, Ignacio Artaza, Country Director, UNDP, Santa Molè, Director, Italian Agency for Development and Cooperation, and Agostino Da Polenza, President, EvK2CNR.

Documented Italian presence in the Karakoram mountain range since the early 1900s was shown in a media presentation to illustrate the historical relationship between Italy and Pakistan. It showed photos from Filippo De Filippo’s expedition in 1909, Count Ardito Desio’s in 1954, and Vittono Sella’s in 2004.

A press conference was also held where the modalities of the collaboration and details of the memorandum were shared with the media. Representatives from EvK2CNR briefed the media and audience on their upcoming winter expedition to K2.