ISLAMABAD: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)Country Director Marc-André Franche has said that Pakistanis third on the Global Climate Risk Index, and faces devastating glacial melting, heat waves, flooding and drought.
“As these events grow more frequent and intense, it is essential that we all work together to mitigate and adapt to climate change and to build resilience. Quick, effective action is needed by the government of Pakistan, the public and private sectors, and by all Pakistanis,” he said at an exclusive event organised by UNDP.
The theme of the event was ‘on thin ice’ and it was organised in the run up to the UN Climate Change Conference to be held in Paris in December 2015.The speakers including Helga Ahmad, Aisha Khan, Jeremy Higgs, Umer Adnan and AdilNajam talked about successful adaptation methods, green energy, and renewable energy systems besides sharing their personal stories and commitments.
The event received an overwhelming response as 1000 people registered of whom 180 were selected to attend. Ambassadors ofBosnia and HerzegovinaandAfghanistan, and the High Commissioner of Canada were also present. It concluded with a mime performance by students of the National University of Sciences and Technology.
In the run up to Paris conference, UNDP Pakistan helped the government of Pakistan to update its sustainable development strategy, review the country’s climate commitments, and prepare project concepts for the green climate fund. The event is part of a series of ongoing discussions in public forums to create awareness about the changing climate and its impacts, and why the meeting is significant for Pakistan.
