Shamakhi (TDI): Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr. Musadik Malik has made a fresh appeal to developed nations to follow through on their climate finance promises, saying time is running out for countries already facing the harshest effects of a warming planet.
Speaking at a closed-door retreat for top climate negotiators in Shamakhi, Azerbaijan, a precursor to this year’s COP29 summit, Dr. Malik said developing countries like Pakistan are being pushed to the brink by floods, droughts, and extreme heat, despite contributing little to global emissions.
“We’ve heard enough promises,” he told fellow delegates. “What’s needed now is action, transparent, timely, and inclusive access to climate finance, technology transfer, and meaningful adaptation support.”
The retreat brought together heads of delegation from dozens of countries for informal talks ahead of the formal climate negotiations scheduled later this year in Azerbaijan. Discussions focused on some of the biggest sticking points still unresolved, climate funding, support for loss and damage, and the gap between what countries have pledged to cut in emissions and what they’ve actually delivered.
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“The global South cannot be left to deal with climate disasters on its own,” he said. “There needs to be a serious push from the global North to meet its end of the deal, including the $100 billion a year that was promised.”
That amount, originally pledged under the Paris Agreement, was intended to help poorer nations respond to the climate crisis, but progress on actual disbursement has been slow and uneven.
The minister reiterated that Pakistan remains committed to sustainable growth and a climate-resilient future, but said international support is essential.
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He also noted that trust between countries, especially between wealthy and developing nations, will be key to making COP29 a success. “This retreat isn’t just a formality,” he said. “It’s a chance to reset the conversation before the world meets again in November.”
Pakistan has consistently called for fair treatment and meaningful representation in global climate forums, and has positioned itself as a voice for vulnerable nations demanding urgent climate action, not just talk.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
