Pakistan to host over 150 dignitaries from Jan. 11-12 for girls’ education summit

In this file photo, taken on October 11, 2024, laborers work on the beautification with artificial flowers and fancy lights at the installation in Islamabad. (APP/File)
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Updated 11 January 2025
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Pakistan to host over 150 dignitaries from Jan. 11-12 for girls’ education summit

  • Ministers, ambassadors, scholars and academia from 44 Muslim and friendly countries to attend summit, says foreign office
  • Summit aims to address challenges and opportunities in advancing girls’ education across Muslim communities worldwide

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will host over 150 dignitaries from 44 Muslim and other friendly states for an international conference on girls’ education in Muslim communities from Jan. 11-12 in the federal capital, the foreign office said on Wednesday. 
The global summit aims to address the challenges and opportunities in advancing girls’ education across Muslim communities worldwide. The foreign office said the conference also aims to foster dialogue, find actionable solutions to address challenges and will provide an ideal platform for high-level discussions and collaborations.
Pakistan’s education ministry will host the conference titled: “Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities.”
“The event will bring together over 150 international dignitaries, including ministers, ambassadors, scholars and academia from 44 Muslim and friendly countries, representatives from international organizations including UNESCO, UNICEF, and the World Bank,” the foreign office said.
“Speakers and panelists will share transformative success stories, showcasing innovative approaches to advancing education equity.”
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will inaugurate the event and deliver the keynote address at the opening session. The foreign office said that the Pakistani premier will reaffirm the nation’s commitment to promoting girls’ education and gender equality. 
It said the conference will conclude with a formal signing ceremony of the Islamabad Declaration, outlining the shared commitment of Muslim community to empower girls through education, paving way for inclusive and sustainable educational reforms, and a brighter future for generations to come.


Pakistan urges developed nations, global institutions to expand role in climate financing

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Pakistan urges developed nations, global institutions to expand role in climate financing

  • Pakistan is recognized among countries worldwide most affected by climate-induced disasters
  • Planning minister stresses redesigning global financial system on principles of responsibility, equity

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal this week called on developed nations and international financial institutions to play a greater role in helping developing countries adopt green technologies at lower costs, state-run media reported. 

Pakistan has suffered frequent climate change-induced disasters over the past couple of years, ranging from floods, droughts, heatwaves, cyclones and other irregular weather patterns. 

This year the South Asian country reported over 1,000 deaths from floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains and the melting of glaciers. 

“He [Iqbal] said Pakistan has urged developed countries and international financial institutions to expand their role in climate financing to enable developing nations to adopt green technologies at lower costs,” state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported on Saturday. 

The minister was speaking at the Second Asia Energy Transition Summit held at Pakistani university LUMS on Saturday. 

Iqbal warned that climate change is intensifying emergencies and increasing economic burdens on vulnerable countries, adding that financial incentives and concessional financing have become indispensable for sustainable climate action.

“He further emphasized the need to redesign the global financial system based on the principles of collective responsibility and equity,” APP said. 

The minister noted that Pakistan has been introducing comprehensive reforms in its development agenda to promote renewable energy, solar power and green technological solutions. 

The country, he said, possesses “strong solar potential,” a robust renewable energy market, a wide talent pool in engineering and science and an enabling environment for green innovation.

Pakistan has regularly urged developed countries to fulfill past pledges and provide easy access to climate funding without attaching conditions, especially at Conference of Parties (COP30) climate summits. 

Islamabad was instrumental in getting the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) established at the COP27 climate summit in Egypt in 2022. The Loss and Damage Fund aims to help developing and least developed countries cope with both economic and non-economic impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events and slow-onset crises like sea-level rise and droughts.