ISLAMABAD, Nov 02 (APP):Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani on Thursday said Pakistan was committed to delivering rapid response on climate change and meeting the global goals to reduce its devastating impact.

At a pre-COP28 (Conference of the Parties to the Convention) seminar titled ‘Pakistan’s roadmap for upcoming conference in Dubai’, the foreign minister emphasized Pakistan’s willingness to contribute to the solution to address climate change.

The seminar was hosted by the Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change (CSCCC), with the support of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) and the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Pakistan.

The event served as a platform for government officials, experts, academia, civil society representatives, and the media to come together and strategize for Pakistan’s role in the upcoming COP28, scheduled to commence next month in Dubai.

FM Jilani highlighted the pivotal role of the Global Stocktake in achieving global course correction, which, he termed, crucial for the success of COP28.

Established under Article 14 of the Paris Agreement, the Global Stocktake is designed to assess the collective progress towards achieving the purpose of [the Paris] Agreement and its long-term goals.

Jilani said Pakistan was set to play a constructive role in dealing with the urgency of course correction to ensure a brighter future for the children.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi emphasized the need to cultivate a culture of social responsibility regarding climate change, advocating for conversations to begin in various forms of media, including news, drama, film, and poetry.

He announced the forthcoming introduction of a dedicated Climate Desk at PTV, designed to act as a catalyst for fostering a holistic, whole-of-society approach.

Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Asif Hyder Shah outlined Pakistan’s advocacy goals for COP28, emphasizing the central role of Adaptation and the full mobilization of the Loss and Damage Fund.

He underscored that the eligibility criteria for the Loss and Damage Fund were a critical concern for Pakistan, emphasizing the need for inclusivity rather than marginalization, particularly for those on the front lines of the climate crisis.

Deputy Head of Mission at the UAE Embassy in Islamabad, Rashid Abdel Rehman Al Ali, expressed the COP28 Presidency’s commitment to delivering a comprehensive plan of action at the milestone event. He eagerly anticipated the collaboration between the UAE and Pakistan during the conference.