Global South Needs COP29 Climate Financing, Says Rehman
News Desk
Islamabad: Chairperson Senate Committee on Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman highlighted the critical role of development organizations in fostering climate resilience through adequate funding.
Speaking at a pre-COP29 panel discussion titled “Bridging the Gap: Humanitarian/Development Agencies and Climate Adaptation in Pakistan,” held at the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), Rehman emphasized the need for local climate action backed by robust international financing.
Rehman advocated for proactive measures in flood-prone areas to curb escalating climate impacts.
She urged major emitters to honor their Internationally Determined Contributions (IDCs) and pushed for a Global Goal on Adaptation that emphasizes funding for on-ground initiatives over mere reporting.
Role of COP29
Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of the IRS, pointed to the potential role of COP29 in advancing climate adaptation efforts and securing essential funding.
He stressed decentralized approaches to adaptation, tailored to local contexts, and noted that the IRS was hosting pre-COP discussions to generate concrete recommendations for COP29.
Dr Altaf Abro, Head of Mission for Secours Islamique France (SIF) Pakistan, underscored the importance of linking development funds with humanitarian resources to bolster adaptation and resilience strategies.
He called for a collaborative approach that integrates humanitarian and development resources effectively.
Calls for Coordinated Action
Dr Samuel Rizk, Resident Representative of UNDP Pakistan, emphasized the need for coordinated government action in addressing climate change challenges.
He highlighted rapid population growth and intensifying climate impacts as factors that are exacerbating vulnerabilities, particularly for marginalized communities in Pakistan.
Bilal Anwar, CEO of the National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF), called for transformative adaptation initiatives to confront the rising challenges posed by climate change. He advocated for resource mobilization, expertise enhancement, and inclusion of indigenous practices to drive sustainable climate action.
D Rizwan Naseer, Senior Research Fellow at IRS, highlighted the importance of aligning humanitarian responses with development strategies to create a more integrated and effective approach to climate adaptation.
Muhammad Arif Goheer, Executive Director of the Global Climate Change Impact Study Centre (GCISC), underscored the urgency of effective adaptation strategies in Pakistan’s agricultural sector. He called for climate-smart farming practices and improved water management to protect this critical sector from climate risks.
Isabel Bogorinsky, Head of Programs at Welthungerhilfe (WHH) Pakistan, noted the threat climate change poses to food security and stressed the role of government and think tanks in building resilience and developing strategies to mitigate climate risks while enhancing adaptive capacities.
Ahmed Kamal, former Chairman of the Federal Flood Commission (FFC), discussed government-led disaster risk reduction efforts, including the 10-year National Flood Protection Plan and advancements in flood forecasting systems to improve preparedness.
Media’s Role
Hassan Hayat, Programme Producer at PTV Home, highlighted the impact of documentaries in effectively communicating the severe consequences of climate change, underscoring the media’s role in raising awareness on this critical issue.
The event brought together a diverse group of national and international experts, policymakers, and heads of development and humanitarian organizations, underscoring a collective commitment to drive climate adaptation efforts ahead of COP29.
