ISLAMABAD, Aug 26 (Alliance News): Senator Sherry Rehman, Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, urged urgent climate action on Monday, highlighting the severe risks of climate change amid rising global conflicts driven by geopolitics and hyper-nationalism.
Speaking at a pre-COP29 seminar organized by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Rehman warned that without immediate measures to combat climate change, the world could face “want, lack, and scarcity.”
The seminar, titled “Strengthening Transboundary Resilience: Enhancing Regional Cooperation,” gathered experts to address regional climate resilience and potential solutions.
Keynote speaker Usman e Ghani, Additional Commissioner of Indus Waters at the Ministry of Water Resources, discussed the Indus Waters Treaty, emphasizing its potential as a mechanism for transboundary water cooperation if fully implemented.
Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Khazar Farhadov, expressed optimism about the upcoming COP29, emphasizing the need for global solidarity and international climate finance, describing the event as the most significant international gathering of 2024.
UNDP Country Representative Dr. Samuel Rizk addressed water scarcity, labeling it a critical global challenge and advocating for climate diplomacy to create win-win scenarios for all parties involved.
Dr. Najibullah Sadid, an independent scholar, highlighted Afghanistan’s water issues and the need for long-term policymaking, criticizing short-sighted approaches.
Farrah Naz, Country Director of the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), warned that climate change could reduce crop production in South Asia by 10-40% by the end of the century, worsening food insecurity.
IRS President Ambassador Jauhar Saleem stressed the importance of cooperation in addressing global threats like climate change, which transcends borders and can serve as a unifying issue in diplomatic efforts.
Talha Tufail Bhatti, an environmental scholar at IRS, emphasized the institute’s commitment to continued dialogue and collaboration to strengthen regional climate resilience.
