ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Over 100 experts from across the globe will converge in the federal capital for a two-day climate conference starting today (Thursday), to raise awareness, stimulate action, and lay the foundation for a climate-resilient society.
The event comes at a time when Pakistan itself faces increasing vulnerability due to climate change. The international conference will be held at the Jinnah Convention Centre on February 6-7.
The moot is part of the DawnMedia’s ‘Breathe Pakistan’ initiative, which aims to mobilise finance to counter climate change and encourage collaborations on climate solutions.
The country needs almost $380bn in the next five years to become climate-resilient. However, scarcity of international funds has hampered its efforts.
High discussions on climate change
According to the conference organisers, the motivation for the initiative came from a lack of action at COP29 in Baku in November 2024. The conference will feature high-level discussions on critical issues in climate change.
Eminent speakers from Pakistan, the United Nations, global financial entities, and regional countries will feature in around 14 sessions over the two days.
The discussions will revolve around themes such as sustainable governance, climate finance, climate justice, adaptation and climate action, especially in South Asia.
President Asif Ali Zardari will address participants via video, while PM Shehbaz Sharif, chief ministers of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab and officials from the UN and World Bank will be in attendance.
The high-profile address will be followed by discussions featuring Supreme Court Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, former State Bank governors Shamshad Akhtar and Salim Raza.
South Asian countries jointly share air, rivers, mountains, and seas, and even air pollution.
Half a dozen leading journalists from south Asian countries as Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, India and the UK are also attending the moot. There will also be sessions on women empowerment to fight climate change. The conference will culminate with a resolution.
