ISLAMABAD: Acting President and Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani highlighted Pakistan’s struggle with climate change, describing it as a significant obstacle to sustainable development. Speaking at the 27th Sustainable Development Conference (SDC), organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) with the Ministry of Climate Change, he emphasized Pakistan’s progress in climate governance. This year’s conference theme, “From Fragility to Resilience: Enhancing Sustainable Development,” set the stage for discussions on resilience, poverty alleviation, energy efficiency, and sustainable agriculture.
Gilani commended Pakistan’s policy efforts in tackling climate resilience and sustainable development, noting that difficult economic choices had steered the country toward stability amid a challenging “polycrisis.”
Prime Minister’s Climate Change Coordinator Romina Khurshid Alam underlined the severe impact of climate change on Pakistan, pointing to widespread ecosystem damage from extreme weather. Alam stressed the government’s commitment to resilience and tackling plastic pollution.
Senator Sherry Rehman, chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, called pollution a “serial killer” and criticized the lack of media focus on the climate emergency. She urged SDPI to establish a journalist award category to recognize climate reporting. Rehman further warned of Pakistan’s high water wastage and sewage pollution in Rawal Dam, a key water source.
At a session on climate finance, Justice Jawad Hassan of the Lahore High Court underscored the need for a robust legal framework for climate funding, particularly as Pakistan seeks aid from the Loss and Damage Fund. Legal experts and international panelists discussed measures to bolster financial access and regulatory structures to support vulnerable communities.
This year’s SDC featured the 2nd Sustainability Investment Expo and a high-level dialogue on legal frameworks in climate finance, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to sustainable development in the face of climate challenges.
