ISLAMABAD, Aug 01 (APP): Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss climate change impacts, and flood reconstruction efforts.
Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland arrived in Pakistan this week on a five-day visit, called on PM Sharif with a five-member delegation in Islamabad on Thursday.
Pakistan wants to work with the Commonwealth in mobilizing international support for climate-vulnerable countries at the upcoming global climate conference in Azerbaijan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday, according to a statement from his office.
The two sides discussed the government’s youth program, climate change impacts and flood reconstruction efforts, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement.
“The Prime Minister said Pakistan wanted to work with the Commonwealth in helping mobilize more international support for climate-vulnerable countries like Pakistan at the forthcoming COP29 in Baku,” the PMO said.
PM Shehbaz Sharif described combatting climate change as a common priority for Pakistan and the Commonwealth nations, appreciating Scotland’s climate advocacy for Pakistan following the devastating 2022 floods.
The PMO said Scotland appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for post-flood reconstruction, hoping that the international community would provide more support in building Pakistan’s climate resilience.
In a recent address, Patricia Scotland, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, emphasized the critical role of Pakistani youth in advancing climate resilience and innovation. Speaking at a conference in Islamabad, Scotland praised the country’s young innovators for their potential to drive significant progress in addressing climate challenges.
Scotland noted that the energy and creativity of Pakistani youth are essential in developing sustainable solutions to climate issues. She encouraged increased support and investment in youth-led initiatives, which she believes are crucial for both national and global climate strategies.
The Secretary-General’s remarks come as part of a broader effort to mobilize resources and foster collaboration among Commonwealth nations to combat climate change. Scotland’s visit underscores the importance of empowering young leaders and leveraging their innovative ideas to build a more resilient future.
Commenting on her visit to the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), she said that she had witnessed innovation, creativity and solutions that gave her joy, help and hope to fight the climate crisis with the possibility of a bright future.
“This youth bulge is the richest gold reserve in this part of the country. The Commonwealth nations represent one-third of the world whereas that demographic diversity give us a chance to grapple with the problems of tomorrow. AI will add $15.7 trillion to the global economy, and we should ensure our youth take benefit of it,” she added.