STAFF REPORT ISB: Pakistan requires support from both internal and external circles in order to fight climate change. The World Bank (WB) has tendered support for Pakistan to develop carbon-resilient sustainable growth regime.
A meeting was recently held between a three member delegation of WB and the officials of Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC). The WB delegation was led by Lead Economist Muthukumara S Mani. The session was highly productive in establishing joint partnership for combating climate change.
Secretary MoCC, Arif Ahmed Khan presided the meeting. He said while talking to the delegation, “Pakistan`s development is posed to serious climate change phenomenon and without coping it through better climate resilient strategies, the goal of sustainable development can`t be achieved. The developed countries and especially global financial institutions like WB are urged by MoCC to help Pakistan build a climate resilient ecosystem”.
Muthukumara S Mani said WB will always stand by Pakistan and aid it in order to take it out from the climate change risks. He assured the release of $3.8 million to Pakistan to fight the climate change. He said, “There is a need to prioritize the policy making and mainstreaming climate change issue in order to mull for sustainable socio-economic drive and quash the associated challenges like water scarcity, health etc”.
WB offering support to Pakistan in dealing this climate change issue is a puff of fresh air for MoCC as it was already lacking optimum funds to implement the climate change policy.