NEW YORK: Speakers have urged the world to demonstrate a stronger political will to deal with the threats posed by climate change. They expressed these remarks during a panel discussion, titled “From Rhetoric to Reality in Building Climate Resilience: Adaptation, Loss and Damage,” was organized by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations in collaboration with Islamic Relief Worldwide and UNICEF.
Speakers stressed the urgency of devising strategies to mobilize resources effectively to address the escalating financial demands for successful adaptation and resilience initiatives. Panelists comprised climate and sustainable development experts, civil society representatives, international non-governmental organization members, and diplomats from the UN.
World Should Immediately Address Issue of Climate Change
On the occasion, Pakistan’s permanent Ambassador Munir Akram to the UN, highlighted Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change despite its minimal contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions. He emphasized the critical need for climate resilience measures in the face of extreme weather events such as floods, glacial melting, and desertification.
Ambassador Akram praised collaborative efforts in developing the Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Framework (4RF) to address the aftermath of floods in 2022, stressing the importance of long-term resilience planning.
Anwar Khan, President of Islamic Relief (US), emphasized the imperative of closer collaboration between governments and international non-governmental organizations to invest in climate adaptation and resilience projects.
Andrea Kauffman, representing the Partnership for Religion and Development and World Vision International, stressed the importance of climate justice in addressing the adverse impacts of disasters on women and children. She emphasized the urgency of implementing policies that cater to the holistic needs of vulnerable populations.
—APP
