Joint Initiative Launched for Inclusive Climate Governance

News Desk

Islamabad: A strategic partnership has been formed to strengthen regional cooperation and promote climate-resilient development across the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region.

The collaboration was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a ceremony attended by prominent environmental leaders and policymakers.

Dr. Pema Gyamtsho emphasized the moral responsibility to protect the HKH mountains and their communities, urging countries to set aside regional conflicts in favor of collective environmental action.

He also commended Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in fostering regional environmental cooperation and called for empowering scientists and experts to tackle growing climate threats.

Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri hailed the agreement as a key step toward evidence-based policymaking and global advocacy for the region. “This collaboration allows us to amplify the voice of the HKH mountains and advocate for sustainable, just, and climate-resilient development,” he said.

Romina Khurshid Alam highlighted the urgency of united climate action in the post-COP29 era, calling for holistic and locally rooted solutions.

Meanwhile, Khurram Dastgir Khan underscored environmental cooperation as a gateway to regional peace, citing previous dialogue efforts between Pakistan and India on shared climate concerns.

The seven-year MoU, in effect through December 2030, outlines joint initiatives focused on research, policy dialogue, and climate-resilient solutions in agriculture, energy, tourism, and urban planning. It also aims to elevate mountain communities’ voices on global platforms such as the UNFCCC and future COP summits.