Prime Minister Imran Khan called upon all the industrialized countries to fulfill the agreements made under the Paris Accord and proposed a debt-for-nature exchange effort to free up fiscal flexibility for developing countries to pursue more aggressive climate action.
On the sidelines of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Imran addressed an informal closed conference of 25 heads of state and government on Climate Change held jointly by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Gutteres.
The meeting’s goal was to create a clear political understanding and vision on what must be accomplished in the upcoming Climate Change Conference (COP-26) in Glasgow, which will take place in November 2021.
The Prime minister, while addressing the gathering, stressed that it is crucial for the industrialized countries to take lead in controlling their climate ambitions, which is applicable to emissions reduction and increased financial flows to the developing countries.
He raised concern about the industrialized countries’ unfulfilled climate financing obligations. He proposed that efforts such as debt-for-nature swaps will free up fiscal flexibility for developing countries to pursue more aggressive climate action.
The Prime Minister also stressed on the level of vulnerability that Pakistan is exposed to in terms of climate change. He added that the impact of climate change should be one of the topmost priorities for all world leaders.
In this context, he informed the leaders of significant national initiatives, such as the success of the flagship 10 Billion Tree Tsunami Project and the 60 percent renewable energy objective by 2030. Adding to this, he said that the government has replaced power plants of coal with hydroelectric projects.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office announced on Monday that Prime Minister Imran Khan will deliver the policy address during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session via video link on Friday, explaining Pakistan’s position on critical global and regional problems.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi will attend the 76th Session of UN General Assembly (UNGA) which will be held from September 21-27 in New York. Besides delivering a talk at the Council on Foreign Relations, the session will also have various high-level meetings and side events
Shah Mahmood Qureshi tweeted, “Good to be in New York for UNGA76 where PM will deliver Pakistan’s policy address virtually. Pleased to be participating in various high-level meetings and side events, along with holding a diversity of bilateral meetings with my counterparts and UN leadership.”
In another tweet, the Foreign Minister said that he shared his concerns on a number of issues, “in particular on the need for equitable socio-economic development.”
