Islamabad (TDI): President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to promoting regional marine cooperation and ensuring peace, progress and sustainability in the Indian Ocean region and stressed the need for collaborative efforts to unlock the ocean’s potential in tackling climate challenges.
Addressing the third China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Blue Economy Cooperation via a video message, President Zardari underlined the pressing challenges of climate change, ecosystem degradation and pollution.
“Pakistan is ready to partner with all stakeholders to foster marine cooperation and maintain the region as a heaven for peace, progress, and sustainability,” he said at the forum focusing on collaboration in the maritime sector.
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The forum, held from December 14 to 16 in Kunming, China, is organized by the China International Development Cooperation Agency.
President Zardari said that the future world economic growth was going to be driven by the East because of its huge population resources.
Underlining the significance of the ocean as a shared lifeline and a source of immense economic opportunities, hepointed out Pakistan’s efforts to boost its blue economy and protecting ecosystems and combat pollution.
He commended Pakistan’s partnership with China, under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), emphasizing its role in technological advancement, knowledge exchange, and marine conservation.
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He underlined the development the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The president applauded China’s Global Development Initiative and CIDCA’s efforts to embed sustainability in the forum’s goals.
He also appreciated the inclusion of capacity building and island countries in the Forum’s agenda.
