Islamabad: Senator Farooq Hamid Naek called for collective efforts to tackle threat of Climate Change and major debt relief to counties in need to allow them fiscal space for achievement of SDG 13.

Addressing sideline meeting of Parliamentary Union of OIC Member States (PIUC) at 145 IPU Assembly in Kigali, Rwanda, Senator Farooq stressed need for combined steps and collective wisdom to counter threat of Global Warming. He underlined that havoc caused by devastating floods in Pakistan is a “wake-up call” for world to gear up their contributions towards minimising adverse impacts of climate change.

“Pakistan contributes less than one percent of global greenhouse gases that warm our planet but its geography makes it extremely vulnerable to climate change. Due to which sense of injustice is keenly felt in country”, he stated. He thanked Chair of meeting as well as Secretariat of Parliamentary Union of OIC member States (PUIC) for allowing opportunity to present emergency item proposed by Parliament of Pakistan for inclusion in agenda of 145 IPU Assembly.

He applauded OIC member States for extending unflinching support to Pakistan in its difficult times.  “Resolution ‘Creating a Global Fund/Financing facility for climate Vulnerable Countries to Address Loss and Damage Associated with Climate Change’ not only highlights sufferings of Pakistan due to devastating floods but also calls upon international community to achieve not only ‘net zero’, but ‘net minus’ carbon emission by 2050”, he noted.

While addressing Asian Parliamentary Assembly coordinating meeting on sideline of 145th IPU Assembly, Senator Naek called for creation of a ‘global fund/financing facility’ for climate-vulnerable countries to address damages and losses associated with climate change. He stressed that international community should also take cognisance of limited resources available to many developing states that are facing climate change disasters.

He underlined that total damages due to recent flood in Pakistan are estimated at over $ 30 billion, almost 10 percent of Pakistan’s GDP. 

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 13 2022

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