BAKU (TDI): Coordinator to Prime Minister on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam Saturday said that on behalf of Pakistani government she commits to join hands with provincial governments for safeguarding children from the devastating impacts of climate change.
“Recognizing the vulnerability of the youngest and most marginalized populations to climate-induced disasters, today we have pledged to prioritise child-centric climate adaptation and resilience measures in the national strategies,” she made these remarks after a key MoU signing ceremony between Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination and UNICEF held at Pakistan Pavilion on the sidelines of the COP29 global climate conference.
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Top key representatives of government of Pakistan along with the Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial governments affirmed their commitment to collaboratively protect the rights and interests of children embroiled in the quagmire of the impacts of climate crisis, a statement said.
According to APP, Federal Secretary Ministry of Climate Aisha Humera Moriani and UNICEF Deputy Executive Director signed the Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action, a pledge by champion governments to uphold priorities identified by children and youth across the world.
Addressing the event, Romina Khurshid Alam said that ensuring access to education, health, and nutrition services in climate-affected areas as well as investing in sustainable infrastructure to protect schools and communities from extreme weather events, is top priority of the incumbent government.
She also emphasised that recognising the importance of empowering children as key drivers of climate action is vital to involving them in climate action programmes, fostering a generation of climate-conscious leaders.
She termed the signature a significant step towards safeguarding the lives of 112 million children in Pakistan, who are vulnerable to climate-related disasters, displacement, and trauma.
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Pakistan is also promoting the Nationally Determined Contributions 3.0, which will be the focus of COP30 in Brazil next year,” said Romina Khurshid.
Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) are national climate action plans by each country under the Paris Agreement. It contains efforts by each country to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
