Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Malik has urged urgent and equitable global action to combat climate change, emphasizing deeper emission cuts and enhanced climate resilience financing for vulnerable nations.
He made these calls during bilateral meetings at the COP-29 Heads of Delegation Retreat in Shamakhi, Azerbaijan, with COP-29 President Mukhtar Babayev and Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Yalchin Rafiyev.
He highlighted that countries in the Global South, including Pakistan, suffer the harshest consequences of climate disasters though they contribute the least to global emissions. Meanwhile, the Global North remains the primary source of historical and ongoing greenhouse gas emissions.
Pakistan’s geographic proximity to two of the world’s top carbon emitters increases its climate risks. The country faces significant climate challenges such as rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, glacier retreat, and severe flooding, impacting water security, agriculture, and economic stability.
Malik stressed that climate change affects populations across borders through environmental degradation and extreme weather events, necessitating strengthened international cooperation based on justice, science, and sustainability.
Discussions also covered Pakistan-Azerbaijan expanding collaboration in renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, disaster risk reduction, and adaptation strategies.
Dr. Malik reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to multilateral climate governance and expressed hope that COP-29 would produce meaningful progress toward inclusive, science-driven global climate solutions.