December 27, 2024 (MLN): Pakistan and Rwanda to enhance bilateral cooperation in climate change, water conservation, smart agriculture, and disaster management through a formal agreement, as per the press release issued yesterday.

The aforementioned discussion took place during a meeting with Rwandan Ambassador Fatou Harerimana and Romina Khurshid Alam, the Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Climate Change, at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination.

The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in key areas, contributing to global environmental goals by supporting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, thereby reinforcing both countries' commitment to addressing climate change.

Secretary of the Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Ministry, Zulfiqar Younus, informed the Rwandan ambassador that Pakistan recently launched its Carbon Market Policy at COP29 in Baku to attract green investments and promote environmental sustainability.

He also extended an offer for Rwanda to collaborate with Pakistan in establishing carbon markets.

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The country is ready to collaborate with partners and stakeholders interested in jointly establishing carbon markets, aiming to make the national carbon market policy not only functional but also transformative, Zulfiqar Younus remarked.

Romina Khurshid Alam said there is a need to expand bilateral collaboration and cooperation in the areas of environment, climate change, and disaster management.

She added that the two nations enjoy friendly relations, supported by mutual respect, growing economic ties, and cooperation in various sectors.

During the meeting, both sides highlighted the growing urgency for bilateral cooperation as part of international collaboration to tackle the common challenges of climate change, environmental degradation, heatwaves, droughts, and water scarcity.

Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to national and global sustainability.

“Rwanda and Pakistan, with a longstanding relationship spanning sixty-two years, actively collaborate in various fields, including trade, health, and investment", the Rwandan ambassador Fatou Harerimana said.

"But, now environment, climate resilience building, water conservation, disaster risk management, heatwave, drought and desertification are the areas which offer a huge potential for both the countries to collaborate,” Fatou Harerimana added.

Ambassador Harerimana and the PM’s climate aide explored and discussed several possible areas of cooperation, including the sharing of expertise, joint research initiatives and the implementation of green technologies to promote sustainable development.

"Rwanda is committed to playing a significant role in the global effort to combat climate change", Ambassador Harerimana noted.

Our partnership with Pakistan will not only strengthen our climate resilience but also pave the way for practical, actionable solutions that can be applied across the developing world," Ambassador Harerimana further stated.

Rwanda’s commitment to climate action was highlighted when the ambassador informed the PM’s climate aide, Romina Khurshid Alam, about the country’s efforts.

Rwanda is recognized as a global leader in environmental sustainability, known for its progressive policies aimed at reducing emissions.

The country has also made significant strides in promoting renewable energy, further solidifying its leadership in the fight against climate change.

The country's efforts, particularly in reforestation and conservation, have earned international recognition, the envoy added.

The two leaders also discussed the impact of climate change on agriculture, water resources, and biodiversity in both countries, emphasizing the importance of innovative solutions to mitigate the environmental challenges faced by their populations.

Both nations acknowledged the importance of sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and ecosystem restoration in their efforts to reduce carbon footprints.

The coordinator to PM Romina Khurshid Alam expressed gratitude for Rwanda’s willingness to collaborate and noted that the partnership would provide valuable insights into climate adaptation strategies that can be tailored to Pakistan’s unique challenges.

"Pakistan is facing significant climate challenges, and strengthening ties with Rwanda presents an opportunity to develop a more resilient and sustainable future," Romina Khurshid Alam remarked.

Both nations pledged to continue working together and advocate for climate justice on the international stage, ensuring that vulnerable communities are supported as they confront the realities of climate change.

Sharing Pakistan’s climate risk management policies and programs, Romin Khurshid Alam told the Rawandan Ambassador that Pakistan is ranked among the countries most affected by climate change, facing extreme weather events, water shortages, and flooding.

“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the present government making all-out efforts and is actively working to integrate climate change policies into national development plans and build climate resilience at the community level,” the PM’s climate aide remarked.

Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Ministry Secretary Aisha Humera Moriani highlighted the inspiring experience of Rwanda in implementing climate risk management initiatives.

She emphasized that this presents significant opportunities for collaboration and cooperation between the two countries in the areas of environment and climate change.

"Both countries are facing different common climate change-caused risks, including floods, droughts, desertification, water scarcity, and shifting rainfall patterns", she remarked.

"This underlines the need for Rwanda and Pakistan to enhance collaboration to address these challenges.", Aisha Humera added.

"Additionally, there is a need to enhance the climate resilience of the people, their lives and livelihoods, as well as ecosystems," she further said.

“Under the policy, Pakistan is ready to collaborate with local and international stakeholders for the development of carbon markets to attract investment for its climate goals", the climate change official informed the meeting.

Besides, we also aim to accelerate clean technology deployment and attract investment in sectors and projects with significant emissions reduction potential, including energy, agriculture, waste management, and forestry”, the climate change official added.

Copyright Mettis Link News

Posted on: 2024-12-27T11:10:21+05:00