ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the United States have agreed to form a joint working group to address challenges related to climate change, the Pakistani ministry of climate change said late Monday.
The statement comes after Special Assistant to Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Climate Change, Malik Amin Aslam, met US Special Envoy for Climate John Kerry in London, where both were attending a Pre-COP26 Ministerial meeting from 25-26 July 2021.
The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, is the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference, scheduled to be held in the city of Glasgow from October 31 to November 12, 2021 under the presidency of the United Kingdom.
Aslam thanked the United States government for reigniting its leadership role on climate change under the Biden administration, and assured that Pakistan believed in a low carbon development pathway and on nature-based solutions to climate change.
“On its part Pakistan is focussed on shifting 60 percent of its energy mix to clean energy by 2030 and for shifting 30 percent of its transport toward electric vehicles by 2030,” the PM’s aide said.
“It will be truly great working with Pakistan to support its green initiatives launched as a part of global climate action and restoration of degraded ecosystems and attainment of overall environmental sustainability and climate resilience,” the statement said, quoting Kerry.
Kerry also “assured Pakistan of full support from United States on climate change including providing access to best available technologies in renewable energy transition, technical support on climate smart agriculture and availability of climate finance.”
A German think tank, Germanwatch, in January this year described Pakistan as the eighth most vulnerable country to climate change, having witnessed 173 extreme weather events and suffered an estimated loss of $3.8 billion as a consequence between 2000 and 2019.
Pakistan, US to form joint working group to address climate change
https://arab.news/re83j
Pakistan, US to form joint working group to address climate change
- Pakistan plans to shift 60 percent energy mix to clean energy, 30 percent of transport toward electric vehicles by 2030
- Germanwatch in January described Pakistan as eighth most vulnerable country to climate change
High-level Libyan delegation meets Pakistan PM, discusses areas for future cooperation
- The meeting comes over a month after Pakistan reportedly struck a $4 billion defense deal to sell military equipment to Libyan National Army
- PM Sharif reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to fostering friendly ties with Libya, emphasizes the importance of continued engagement and dialogue
ISLAMABAD: A high-level delegation from Libya on Tuesday called on Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad and discussed areas for future cooperation between the two sides, PM Sharif’s office said.
The delegation comprised Dr. Osama Saad Hamad, who governs eastern Libya, Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander-in-Chief Khalifa Abu-al-Qasim Haftar and his deputy, Lt. Gen. Saddam Khalifa Haftar.
During the discussions, both sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and underscored the importance of strengthening bilateral relations, according to PM Sharif’s office.
“The meeting reflected the shared desire to enhance cooperation in areas of common concern and to promote peace, stability, and development at regional and international levels,” Sharif’s office said in a statement.
The development comes more than a month after reports suggested Pakistan had struck a $4 billion defense deal to sell military equipment, including JF-17 fighter jets and Super Mushshak trainer aircraft, to the LNA that controls eastern Libya.
The reports followed the visit of Pakistani Defense Forces Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir to Libya in December. There has been no official confirmation of the deal so far.
Libya has been subject to a UN arms embargo since 2011, requiring approval from the UN for transfers of weapons and related material. It was not clear whether Pakistan or Libya had applied for any exemptions to the UN embargo.
PM Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to fostering friendly relations with Libya and emphasized the importance of continued engagement and dialogue, according to his office. The Libyan leadership appreciated Pakistan’s role and expressed interest in expanding collaboration between the two countries.
“The meeting concluded with an understanding to maintain close contact and explore avenues for future cooperation,” Sharif’s office said.
On Monday, LNA Commander-in-Chief Haftar also met Field Marshal Munir and discussed with him military cooperation and regional security, according to the Pakistani military.
“Both sides exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, with particular focus on security dynamics in respective regions and professional cooperation,” the Pakistani military said.
“The discussion underscored the importance of continued engagement and collaboration between the Armed Forces of Pakistan and Libya.”
