Policy Dialogue on Climate Change: Resilience and Financing, Chairman P&D Board, Mr. Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, presided over the session.
The speakers shared their views about the reasons for climate change and suggested ways to deal with its harmful effects on humans and habitat. According to them, the unpredictable nature of heavy rains, droughts, floods, smog, and pest invasions are the main Syndromes of this havoc.
In his opening remarks, Chairman P&D Board Mr Iftikhar Ali Sahoo welcomed the distinguished speakers and participants and said that climate change has badly impacted our day-to-day lives. He gave examples of present smog conditions in Lahore and its adjacent areas. Chairman P&D Board said that it is a crucial issue therefore, we should take immediate steps to curb this issue, and for the said purpose, we are contacting all pertinent environmental stakeholders in order to create concrete policies that would prove helpful for reducing environmental challenges at the operational level.
EU Ambassador to Pak H.E Dr Riina Kionka said that our commitment to addressing climate challenges in Pakistan extends to development finance and trade, particularly through the GSP. She also said that the integration and mitigation of climate change have to be incorporated into the shift to renewable energy sources. She also mentioned a few projects being funded by the EU in pakistan.
1st Secretary Ms Clara representing the British High Commission also stated that climate change is a priority investment area for UK. She spoke on Climate finance and reiterated the support of the Bristish Govt for tackling the issues of climate change in punjab.
Chief Environment & Climate Change P&D Board Ms Saba Asghar Ali conducted the dialogue along with moderators Ms Abiha zahra & Dr Yaqoob Khan.
Members P&D Board Mr Ahmed Aziz Tarar, Dr Abid Bodla, Ms Asia Gul, Mr Aslam Javid, Mr Shahin Shah Faisal, Ms Saba Asghar DS(E)/Chief Environment P&D Board, Prof Dr. Sajid Rashid Ahmad, Dean, Faculty of Geo-Sciences, Univesity of the Punjab, Mr. Muhammad Omar Masud, CEO Urban Unit, Mr. Rashid Kamal-ur-Rehman, Secretary Environment Protection Department, Government of the Punjab, Prof. Dr. Tahir Hasan, Associate Professor, Director, LUMS project, Prof. Dr. Nadeem Javed SI, Professor, Karachi School of Business and Leadership, former Chief Economist, Planning Commission of Pakistan, Tobias Haq, Lead Country Economist, World Bank, Secretary Finance, Government of the Punjab, Prof. Dr. Ijaz Nabi, Country Director, IGC Pakistan, Fahad Arshad, Vice President, Coca Cola Pakistan, Dr Yaqoob Khan Bangash, Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Co-PI, Jean Monnet Project, IT University, and Dr Abiha Zahra, Co-PI, Jean Monnet Project, IT', University attended the session as speakers. 15.11.2023
