ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam on Tuesday appreciated the World Bank for its commitment to building a climate-resilient future for Pakistan.

The observation came during her meeting with World Bank Country Director for Pakistan, South Asia Region, Najy Benhassine.

A statement issued by the ministry said both sides emphasised the need for joint investments in climate-vulnerable sectors such as agriculture, water management, energy and disaster risk reduction. They acknowledged Pakistan’s disproportionate vulnerability to climate change, despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions.

Romina Khurshid Alam highlighted the growing frequency of extreme weather events, including floods, heatwaves, droughts and desertification, which had severely impacted the country’s economy and livelihoods.

“Pakistan is doing everything possible within its resources to cope with climate change impacts,” she stated.

Referring to the catastrophic 2022 floods, which displaced millions and destroyed vital infrastructure, she underscored the urgent need for enhanced flood resilience and disaster preparedness measures.

Water scarcity, exacerbated by glacier depletion and unpredictable rainfall poses another critical challenge, Romina Alam noted, stressing its impact on agriculture - a key pillar of Pakistan’s economy.

She also pointed out rising temperatures in southern and eastern regions, which had increased health risks, disrupted daily life, and caused loss of lives.

Najy Benhassine acknowledged Pakistan’s climate vulnerability and reiterated the World Bank’s commitment to providing both financial and technical support.

He discussed viable strategies to strengthen climate risk management systems across sectors such as water, energy, agriculture and food security.

“We aim to assist Pakistan in building resilience through infrastructure projects, climate-smart agricultural practices and disaster preparedness plans,” he added.

The World Bank official emphasised the importance of engaging the private sector in sustainable climate investments and highlighted the need for comprehensive risk management strategies at national, provincial and district levels.

Strengthening institutional frameworks and integrating climate resilience into development planning also emerged as key priorities.

Romina Khurshid Alam expressed appreciation for the World Bank’s unwavering support, calling the partnership a “pivotal step” in addressing the climate crisis.

She reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to sustainable, long-term solutions to protect vulnerable communities and ensure a resilient future.

“Combating climate change is central to Pakistan’s development agenda,” she said, stressing the significance of continued collaboration with international partners like the World Bank.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2024