Pakistan flags climate finance crisis at COP30

November 17, 2025 (MLN): Pakistan pressed global leaders at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, to close widening climate-finance gaps that it says are undermining adaptation and long term development, as Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr. Musadik Malik used a high-level dialogue to argue that current funding systems leave vulnerable countries exposed.

Speaking through a video message at the High-Level Climate Finance Dialogue, Dr. Malik said Pakistan remains among the world’s most climate-vulnerable states despite contributing less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

He pointed to the country’s position at the base of roughly 13,000 glaciers feeding the Indus River the backbone of Pakistan’s water, agriculture and energy systems as evidence of its acute exposure to climate shocks.

Dr. Malik said global financing flows are falling short of adaptation needs, noting that much of what is categorized as climate finance consists of repurposed loans previously meant for education, health and other Sustainable Development Goals.

Redirecting these funds toward climate-related emergencies, he warned, weakens essential development spending and leaves poorer nations unable to build resilience.

At a time when developing economies face rising losses from floods, heatwaves and glacial melt, he said predictable, equitable and accessible financing supported by Multilateral Development Banks and major economies remains critical.

The Dialogue brought together international climate-finance specialists and MDB representatives to debate how to expand funding and simplify access for frontline states.

Dr. Malik said Pakistan is pursuing a green transition through its Nationally Determined Contributions but requires fair partnerships and technology transfers to sustain climate-resilient growth.

He urged governments and financial institutions to strengthen climate-finance architecture and support vulnerable countries facing accelerating climate risks.

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