Geneva, 9 January 2023 (TDI): The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, and the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Antonio Guterres addressed a joint press stakeout after the International Conference on Resilient Pakistan.

The conference was held in Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland, today. On January 9, 2023, the Pakistani government and the UN co-hosted the International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan.

To assist the people and the government of Pakistan after the devastating floods of 2022, the Conference will bring together governments, leaders from the public and private sectors, and members of civil society.

It has two main goals. First one is, Describe the Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Framework (4RF). It outlines a multisectoral approach to rehabilitation and reconstruction that is inclusive of all stakeholders and climate-resilient.

The second is to establish long-term partnerships and secure international assistance to strengthen Pakistan’s capacity for climate adaptation and resilience.

The Conference’s proceedings will be divided into two sections; a webcast comprising a high-level introduction and announcements about the official release of the 4RF document and partner support.

Pakistan’s worst disaster in decades occurred in 2022 with devastating floods. 8 million people were left homeless, 15,000 people were killed or injured, and a third of the country was submerged.

More than 4 million acres of agricultural land, over 2 million homes, 13,000 kilometers of highways, and 439 bridges were all destroyed or damaged. As a direct result of these floods, an estimated 9 million more people may become poor.

Pakistan has been able to respond to this unprecedented climate catastrophe thanks to assistance from the UN, the generosity of donors and partners, and the heroism of its people.

With the aid of international organizations, it gave 2.2 million households $245 million in cash assistance and distributed hundreds of thousands of tents, food, water, and medications to the poor and displaced.