ISLAMABAD: Van Nguyen, who is deputy resident representative for the United Nations Development Programme in Pakistan, met Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam to discuss key climate risk mitigation strategies.

The meeting took place at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination on Thursday. The discussion focused on several critical areas, including climate risk mitigation, climate finance for adaptation and mitigation measures, agricultural insurance, and urban flood resilience.

Ms Nguyen briefed Romina Alam on the Global Shield against Climate Risks initiative, highlighting its aim to address protection gaps in climate-vulnerable countries like Pakistan through pre-arranged finance. “The Global Shield against Climate Risks is designed to provide immediate financial resources in response to disasters, ensuring quick and effective support for the economy, businesses, and communities in the most climate-vulnerable countries,” explained Van Nguyen.

A statement issued by the ministry said that the initiative, launched by the Vulnerable Twenty Group (V20) in collaboration with the Group of Seven (G7) and other supporting countries, sought to enhance pre-arranged protection against climate and disaster-related risks for vulnerable populations.

Romina briefed on ‘Global Shield against Climate Risks’; initiative to provide grant-based financial, technical assistance

Ms Nguyen emphasised the initiative’s role in offering comprehensive support to understand climate risks and impacts, and in developing innovative solutions to address losses and damages caused by climate change.

A key objective of the Global Shield initiative was to provide grant-based financial and technical assistance to climate-vulnerable countries like Pakistan, enabling them to develop and implement solutions for the financial protection of vulnerable communities and to bolster climate adaptation efforts.

Van Nguyen assured Romina Alam of UNDP-Pakistan’s full support in accessing the financial and technical resources offered by the initiative to enhance Pakistan’s climate resilience. At this, Ms Alam expressed gratitude to the UNDP for its commitment to supporting Pakistan’s efforts to build resilience in climate-vulnerable sectors, such as agriculture and urban flood management.

Romina Alam emphasised protecting lives and livelihoods, especially in sectors, like agriculture, water, energy, health, and education through climate adaptation and mitigation measures.

Romina Alam noted that increased financial protection and improved disaster preparedness and response under the initiative could significantly contribute to addressing climate change-related vulnerabilities and losses in Pakistan. She highlighted the growing intensity and frequency of storms, droughts, and floods, which pose severe risks to human survival and ecosystem sustainability.

Despite ongoing climate action and adaptation investments, residual risks from climate change continue to result in significant losses and damages, Ms Alam pointed out. She emphasised the need for better systems to provide immediate and efficient financial support in the wake of climate-related disasters.

The statement said that collaboration between UNDP and Pakistan underscored a joint commitment to addressing climate change challenges and enhancing resilience for the most vulnerable communities.

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2024