emphasizes collaborative efforts to tackle climate vulnerabilities in Pakistan
Islamabad: The Adviser to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, Ms. Rumina Khurshid Alam, has underscored the vital importance of partnerships in achieving Pakistan’s climate and development objectives.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of a Letter of Understanding (LoU) with the Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan (AKF-P) on Friday, Ms. Alam highlighted that such collaborations are instrumental in advancing inclusive, climate-resilient socio-economic progress across the nation.Pakistan’s Climate Change Ministry, GGGI sign pact to mobilise green finance for climate action
“The LoU marks a significant milestone in addressing climate vulnerabilities and fostering sustainable livelihoods for the communities most affected by climate change,” she stated.
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC) and AKF-P formalized this collaboration to enhance livelihood security and promote sustainable socio-economic growth in Pakistan’s rural and coastal areas. These regions include Sindh’s coastal belt, as well as rural parts of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The agreement was signed by the Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change, Ms. Aisha Humera Moriani, and the CEO of AKF-P, Mr. Akhtar Iqbal. The event was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Climate Change, including Additional Secretary Zulfiqar Yunus, Additional Secretary Hammad Shamimi, Senior Joint Secretary Muhammad Farooq, and Joint Secretary Khalida Bashir.
In her remarks, Ms. Alam pointed out the significant climate challenges facing Pakistan, particularly in vulnerable coastal and mountainous areas. “These regions are struggling with extreme weather events, glacial melting, rising sea levels, agricultural instability, and water shortages, all of which endanger local livelihoods,” she noted.
Recognizing the urgency for action, Ms. Alam explained that the Ministry is committed to implementing targeted measures to address these impacts and bolster socio-economic development in these areas. The strategic partnership with AKF-P aims to enhance climate resilience and improve livelihoods in underprivileged rural regions.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Aisha Humera Moriani highlighted the grave climate challenges faced by Gilgit-Baltistan, often referred to as the “roof of the world,” including glacial lake outbursts, flash floods, and landslides, which not only threaten lives but also disrupt critical infrastructure.
“Similarly, Sindh’s coastal areas are dealing with sea intrusion, high salinity, groundwater contamination, and livelihood losses stemming from the declining agriculture and fishing sectors. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa faces frequent floods, droughts, and landslides, further compounded by deforestation and soil erosion,” she explained, emphasizing the water-related nature of these challenges and the need for immediate intervention.
Ms. Rumina Alam further elaborated that the partnership with AKF-P will focus on adopting climate-smart practices in agriculture, resource management, and infrastructure while encouraging community engagement and sustainability. The Foundation and its associated organizations will play a crucial role in enhancing community resilience through clean energy projects, climate-smart agriculture initiatives, and environmental education programs.
“Through this collaboration, we aim to safeguard livelihoods, protect ecosystems, and support sustainable socio-economic development in these vulnerable regions. The partnership will also promote climate-focused projects, strengthen research, build local capacity, and mobilize shared resources,” Ms. Alam added.
