ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam on Saturday said Pakistan’s green diplomacy was playing a positive role in not just uniting the world but also in fighting the war against climate change.
“Green diplomacy is emerging as a new field. It is especially a new field for Pakistan. However, Pakistan is already leading the way in green resilience,” Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam said in a tweet before accompanying Prime Minister Imran Khan on his tour to Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Khan was invited by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to speak and partner in launching the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI).
Says agreement to be signed with Saudi Arabia, UAE on green development
Mr Aslam said the green initiatives taken by the present government were a reality on the ground and the entire world was focusing on Pakistan in this regard.
“It all started after the PM’s committee on climate change decided to devise a green diplomacy strategy. The strategy would be developed by the ministry and presented before the Cabinet Division for approval,” he added.
The special assistant gave the example of the ongoing Dubai Expo, where one of the most popular segments was Pakistan’s Billion Tree Tsunami section, which was presenting the country’s positive image, where doors were opening for green diplomacy.
“Pakistan partnership with the US on green development on climate change has already begun, and a joint working group established for the purpose was already heading in the right direction,” he said.
Mr Aslam said Pakistan would be signing an agreement with Saudi Arabia on green development and later with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“Pakistan is the only country in the world to sign an agreement with Germany to team up on tackling challenges of the changing climate,” he said, elaborating that Denmark and Hungary had both shown interest to get into similar partnerships with Pakistan on green developments.
“All of this is happening after the world can see that Prime Minister Imran Khan has given a clear vision on how sustainable environment friendly developments and progress can be made,” he claimed.
It was imperative that all departments concerned chipped in to develop the green strategy for the benefit of the country, he added.
Some of the initiatives under the Clean Green Pakistan programme and various green projects initiated include one of the world’s largest and ambitious Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme, Ecosystem Restoration Initiative for promotion of nature-based solutions, Protected Areas Initiative for conservation, livelihoods and protection of the environmentally-sensitive and biodiversity-rich wildlife areas, Olive Tree Tsunami Initiative and National Apiculture Programme, solar and wind energy projects, and introducing of e-vehicle policy.
Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2021
