ISLAMABAD: The federal capital became the 101st city in the world to adopt the United Nations Urban Environmental Accords after Mayor Sheikh Ansar Aziz signed the Green Charter at a ceremony on Friday.

Under the charter, Islamabad will adopt an action plan based on the UN Urban Environmental Accords to improve the overall environment and rectify the damages done to its natural settings by development.

The charter was signed by prime minister’s focal person on Green Pakistan, Syed Rizwan Mehboob, and the mayor, who is also the chairman of the Capital Development Authority (CDA).

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Climate Change Zahid Hamid described the moment as a landmark. He said the UN Environmental Accords were the principal instruments employed the world over for ensuring adherence to the rules of sustainable urban development.

According to the minister, the actions incorporated in the accords and the charter covered all environmental concerns and considerations vital to ensure the green future of any city.

“Islamabad has become the first city of the country to take up the challenge to improve and enhance the overall environments and rectify the damages in line with the action plan based on the UN Urban Environmental Accords,” Mr Hamid said, adding the accords consisted of 21 universally accepted environmental norms.

Mr Mehboob added: “As many as 100 cities of the world have achieved the goals set in accordance with 21 actions. Unfortunately, not a single city in Pakistan was among these cities.” He expressed the hope that other cities in the country would also accept the challenge.

He said a timeline would be set up for all actions but contributions from everyone would play a vital role not only in improving the environment but also in staying on the track in transforming the environment.

According to the mayor, the objective was to make the federal capital greener and environmentally sustainable.

“Islamabad is still somewhat better placed in terms of planning and development. However, there are certain challenges to overcome and gaps in the service delivery which will be urgently filled. The green character of Islamabad will be a guiding document and will help elevate the level of living in the capital city,” said Mr Aziz, vowing to translate the 21 actions into a reality to make the capital a green model city.

A documentary, “Islamabad the beautiful” was also shown on the occasion.

Published in Dawn October 22nd, 2016