ISLAMABAD: Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman said, “Geographies of vulnerability, those of us who live in warmer climates are caught in recovery trap. We are at ground zero of climate stress as we live in an era of accelerated climate change which leads to extraordinary human suffering.”

My worry is that despite excellent progress made at climate resilient recovery conference, we may not be able to rebuild one-third of country before next disaster hits us.” Speaking at annual Pakistan Breakfast at Davos as Chief Guest, organised by Pathfinder Group. She thanked organizers for arranging event annually on sidelines of Annual Meeting in Davos, allowing Pakistani policymakers to share their insights with participants from all over world in Davos, a news release here received said.

She praised efforts of Prime Minister and Foreign Minister for their leadership on multilateral stage and exceeding targets in Geneva during Climate Resilient Pakistan conference, despite donor fatigue and other crises in world.

Earlier she spoke at panel discussion ‘Investing in Nature’ organised by Maryam Forum Foundation where she was joined by Minister for International Cooperation of government of Egypt, Rania Mashat, President Centre for Global Development Sir Masood Ahmed, Chief Economist Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Erik Berglöf and Chief Sustainability Officer Mastercard, USA, Ellen Jackowski.

“There is an element of denialism still amongst corporate leaders and networks which shows our collective failure as we have not been able to take public conversations to required level. Every little island of rationality works and every meeting today should be call to action.

She highlighted that climate financing needs of today are not being addressed by 20th century international financial architecture as it was created for different challenges, but it is outdated for crises of 21st century.

However, it is race against time for us as we are caught in recovery trap scale of reconstruction itself will take 3 years or more and what happens if we face another natural disaster before rebuilding even begins? We are in clear arc of vulnerability and we are working very hard to make sure that there is better preparedness and adaptation on ground to avoid such catastrophe in future,” she remarked.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 20 2023

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