ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan and The Asia Foundation have agreed to collaborate on environmental issues.
The Understanding was reached when the Federal Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid held a meeting with newly appointed Country Representatives of The Asia Foundation Sofia Shakil at the Ministry of Climate Change In Islamabad.
“Pakistan is facing many disasters as a result of climate change in the form of floods, droughts, sea intrusion and glaciers melting. Pakistan is ranked 7th among countries most affected by the climate change”, Zahid Hamid told Sofia Shakil.
The minister further said that our emission will go higher as a result of our future developmental process.
Zahid Hamid said that the government of Pakistan is taking many initiatives to deal with climate change that includes ratification of Paris agreement, submission of Intended Nationally Determined Contributions, National Climate Change Policy, Framework to implement Climate Change Policy, Climate Change Act.
The federal minister said that the Climate Change Council will be established implement prepare projects while considering international standards.
Furthermore, he informed that National Assembly has approved Climate Change Act. It would be a functional law within next three months after getting approval from senate.
The delegate of The Asia foundation were also informed about Launching of the Prime Minister’s Green Pakistan Program
The Country Representatives of The Asia Foundation Sofia Shakeel offered to help in strengthening the new body of Climate Change Council and small grant projects of climate change.
The Secretary Ministry of Climate Change Syed Ahmed Abu Akif also informed them that the text book containing chapters related to Climate Change has also been developed for early school children.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Country Representative Ameena Illahi, Secretary Ministry of Climate Change Syed Ahmed Abu Akif, Joint Secretary Muhammad Farooq and Public Relations Officer Zile Huma
The Asia Foundation is US based nongovernmental organization established in 1954 and working in 18 Asian countries for strengthening governance, empowers women, expand economic opportunities, increase environmental resilience and have more international cooperation.
