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PARIS: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Sunday said that with the developed countries having more responsibility in tackling the climate change challenges, Pakistan was ready to contribute in the global efforts.
“Though Pakistan has minimum level of carbon emissions, we will contribute in the global efforts to tackle the climate change issues,” Nawaz said in a brief chat with the media soon after his arrival in Paris to attend the two-week 21st UN Climate Change Conference being opened in the French capital on Monday.
Nawaz will deliver his speech on November 30, opening day of the two-week event, which is scheduled to be attended and addressed by 147 world leaders, including United States President Barack Obama, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and British Prime Minister David Cameron.
To a question, the prime minister said that Pakistan would not let come any hurdle in its development process.
“We will present our point of view before the world and will also listen to the point of view of other countries,” he added.
The prime minister will also hold meetings with other world leaders on the sidelines of the conference.
Zahid Hamid, the newly appointed Minister of Climate Change will lead the Pakistani team during the two week negotiations, comprising federal and provincial government officials. A dozen or so representatives of leading non-governmental organisations and civil society groups will also participate in the conference.
During his visit to Malta, Premier Nawaz Sharif participated in the 24th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
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The prime minister was seen off at Luqa International Airport by senior officials of the Malta government. Pakistan's Ambassador for Tunisia resident in Malta Zaheer Pervaiz Khan was also present.
During his stay in Malta's capital Valletta, Nawaz participated in CHOGM's multiple sessions on violent extremism and radicalism, climate change, Sustainable Development Goals and migration.
On the sidelines of Commonwealth summit, he held bilateral meetings with British Prime Minister David Cameron, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, French President Francois Hollande and Prince of Wales Charles.
The prime minister also attended a special event on polio eradication. He was conferred Award of Appreciation by Commonwealth Youth Council for his contribution for the development of Pakistani youth.
Speaking at a session on `Polio Moment' Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the government has taken a series of steps to save the future generations from the crippling disease.
The prime minister said that Pakistan has made polio eradication a national cause and he is personally leading the National Task Force on Polio Eradication.
He said the government's priority is to reach out to each and every child so that no child remains unvaccinated during the nationwide polio drive.
He expressed satisfaction that Pakistan has been able to significantly reduce the number of polio cases.
