PM’s aide warns of escalating climate challenges

February 11, 2025 (MLN): The escalating climate challenges confronting developing countries, particularly members of the African Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO), were underscored by Coordinator to the Prime Minister for Climate Change, Romina Khurshid Alam.

Speaking at a training program on "Disaster Management and Climate Change Adaptation," she stressed that inadequate infrastructure and limited financial resources intensify the effects of climate change.

She called for urgent global cooperation and the adoption of sustainable solutions to mitigate its impact.

Ms. Alam highlighted that climate change is a pressing global issue, particularly for AARDO member countries, which face various environmental threats that undermine their natural resources and socio-economic stability.

Countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh are especially vulnerable to flooding caused by glacial melt and changing monsoon patterns, while Kenya and Zambia struggle with severe droughts that significantly impact agriculture and water availability.

Similarly, Malaysia and Oman are confronted with rising sea levels that endanger coastal communities and infrastructure, according to the press release.

She made these remarks during a one-week training program, which began on January 9 and was organized by the Akhtar Hameed Khan National Centre for Rural Development (AHKNCRD) in collaboration with AARDO.

Ms. Alam expressed confidence that the training would equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to implement effective disaster management and climate adaptation strategies in their respective countries.

She emphasized the importance of supporting AARDO member nations through knowledge sharing, capacity building, and fostering innovative solutions for sustainable development.

Ms. Alam further pointed out that many developing nations are already dealing with rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and cyclones.

Water scarcity remains a major concern, with Jordan, Palestine, and Namibia among the most water-stressed countries globally.

Additionally, soil degradation in countries such as Syria and Ghana exacerbates food security risks.

To address these challenges, she stressed the need for regional collaboration in disaster management and climate adaptation.

Commending NCRD for its commitment to rural development and poverty alleviation, particularly in Pakistan and across other AARDO member countries, she highlighted the significance of its partnership with AARDO.

The AHKNCRD, based in Islamabad, is a capacity-building government institute working alongside AARDO, an inter-governmental organization comprising 32 member countries from Asia and Africa.

Ms. Alam reiterated that Pakistan is increasingly vulnerable to climate change impacts, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive disaster management strategies and collaborative adaptation measures to build resilience.

She stressed the importance of equipping stakeholders with the necessary knowledge to tackle the complex challenges of disaster management and climate change adaptation.

The training program is being attended by participants from 13 AARDO member countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Gambia, Ghana, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Namibia, Oman, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Syria, and Zambia.

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