Pakistan taking steps to integrate climate resilience into national planning – official

A street vendor carries umbrellas as he waits for customers along a road during a rain shower in Lahore on January 19, 2022. (AFP/File)
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Updated 18 August 2024
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Pakistan taking steps to integrate climate resilience into national planning – official

  • PM’s coordinator on climate change mentions disaster risk financing for resilience against environmental challenges
  • Climate-induced weather events have raised serious concerns about Pakistan’s food security and agricultural exports

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam said on Saturday the government had taken steps to integrate environmental resilience into national planning, hoping it would also contribute to sustainable economic progress in the country.

Climate change has emerged as a critical issue for Pakistan, which, despite contributing minimally to global carbon emissions, faces extreme weather patterns, including floods, droughts and heatwaves.

The country is still recovering from the devastating 2022 monsoon, with concerns are mounting over possible flash floods and hill torrents during the ongoing rainy season.

“The government is committed to incorporating climate considerations into all aspects of national development to ensure sustainable future growth and resilience to environmental challenges,” Alam was quoted as saying by state-owned Associated Press of Pakistan.

She said national adaptation plans, environmental policies and water management strategies must be aligned to effectively address climate risks.

The prime minister’s coordinator emphasized the need for climate and disaster risk financing to build resilience against the increasing threats posed by environmental challenges.

Extreme climate-induced weather events have caused billions of dollars in damages in Pakistan, raising serious concerns about food security and agricultural exports, prompting the government to take measures to address these challenges.


Pakistan PM to attend World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Switzerland next month

Updated 29 December 2025
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Pakistan PM to attend World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Switzerland next month

  • The WEF meeting, scheduled to be held in Davos on Jan. 19-23, will focus on global challenges, public-private dialogue and cooperation
  • Government, business, civil society and academia leaders will engage in forward-looking discussions to address these issues, set priorities

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will travel to Switzerland next month to attend the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Pakistani state media reported on Monday.

The WEF annual meeting, themed as ‘A Spirit of Dialogue,’ will be held from Jan. 19 to Jan. 23 in Davos, where world leaders from government, business, civil society and academia will engage in forward-looking discussions to address global issues and set priorities.

Prime Minister Sharif is expected to interact with global leaders and investors on economic challenges, regional and international issues and various opportunities for cooperation.

On Monday, Deputy PM Ishaq Dar presided over a meeting in Islamabad to oversee preparations for Sharif’s upcoming visit to Switzerland to attend the WEF meeting, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.

“Dar instructed to maximize the engagements with the incoming Heads of States, Governments and senior leadership of economic, business and financial institutions,” the report read.

The WEF meeting program will be structured around key global challenges where public-private dialogue and cooperation, involving all stakeholders, is necessary for progress, according to the WEF website.

In addressing these challenges, growth, resilience and innovation will serve as cross-cutting imperatives, guiding how leaders engage with today’s complexity and pursue tomorrow’s opportunities.

Pakistani foreign ministry officials briefed the deputy PM about preparations for the WEF meeting, according to Radio Pakistan. The participants of Monday’s meeting in Islamabad discussed in detail the bilateral component and media engagements during the visit.

“He [Dar] further stressed that opportunities be explored to foster collaboration with private sector business entities,” the state broadcaster said.