Pakistan, China explore climate cooperation at Trans-Himalaya Forum

July 20, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan and China have emphasized  the need for stronger regional cooperation to protect glaciers and mountain ecosystems, with proposed joint research and green investment platforms to address the shared threat of climate change.

Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Malik made the remarks while addressing the 5th China Xizang Trans-Himalaya Forum for International Cooperation during his visit to the Xizang Autonomous Region of China, according to a press release issued.

The forum brought together policymakers, experts and stakeholders from across the region to discuss sustainable development, ecological conservation and the challenges facing mountain ecosystems.

Musadik Malik said the gathering reaffirmed a common responsibility to protect humanity and nature, thanking the Chinese government for hosting the event and describing China as a trusted partner that has stood by Pakistan through prosperous and challenging times.

He highlighted the deep geographical and ecological linkages between the two countries through the Himalayan and Trans-Himalayan mountain systems, noting Pakistan is home to around 13,500 glaciers, making it among the most vulnerable countries to glacial melt.

He warned that rising greenhouse gas emissions and increasing global temperatures are accelerating glacier melt, triggering devastating floods followed by prolonged droughts.

Over the past 15 years, nearly 6,000 people have died in flood-related disasters in Pakistan, he said, while close to 20,000 have been injured or disabled and around 40 million displaced, resulting in an estimated 1.8 billion lost school days.

Musadik Malik said glaciers form the foundation of civilizations and regional prosperity, and their protection requires collective action and scientific cooperation rather than competition over natural resources.

Referring to his visit to villages in Xizang, he commended China's approach of integrating environmental conservation with economic development, calling it a model for other mountainous regions.

He noted a significant gap in coordinated transboundary scientific collaboration despite individual countries researching glaciers and climate change, and said nations sharing the Himalayan ecosystem must jointly generate knowledge and solutions.

To strengthen cooperation, Musadik Malik proposed three initiatives: a Virtual Green University bringing together universities, researchers and students for joint research on glaciers, climate change and sustainable development; Green Fields, a platform connecting young entrepreneurs with financing for climate solutions in renewable energy, battery technology and climate-resilient infrastructure; and a Green Cloud, an open platform making publicly funded scientific research freely accessible to innovators and entrepreneurs.

He concluded by calling on participating countries to work collectively to protect glaciers and shared ecosystems, stressing that climate action requires shared responsibility and a common commitment to aligning development with environmental protection.

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