STAFF REPORT ISB: Speakers at an event expressed their concern over the fast disappearing of wetlands in Pakistan linking this issue to the non-existence of relevant laws. The event was arranged by the IUCN Pakistan in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change, and FJWU to celebrate the World Wetlands Day. The theme of the year 2016 is “Wetlands for Future: Sustainable Livelihoods”. Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb, Member National Assembly was the chief guest of the event.
Marriyum talked of the Pakistan Wetlands Programme that has been implemented successfully leaving a number of benchmarks and appreciated the participation and interest of youth on wetlands and associated issues.
She suggested that the wetlands policy debate be taken up in the parliament for approval and emphasized on the role of the International Partners by taking the national priorities ahead of the global priorities and the parliamentary plans should also be developed according to the national priorities.
The participants included representatives from Ministry of Climate Change, civil society, academia, international partners including UN, ADB, EU, AKF, students of Fatimah Jinnah Women University, IUCN.