Pakistan Steps up Climate Resilience with COMSATS-NIDM Pact

News Desk 

Islamabad: In a joint effort aimed at bolstering climate resilience and promoting sustainable disaster management solutions through innovative technology, the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) and the National Institute of Disaster Management, Pakistan (NIDM), formalized the signing of a Letter of Agreement (LOA) on Thursday.

The LOA outlines a collaborative initiative focused on cooperation, coordination, and resource mobilization in all aspects of disaster management. It particularly emphasizes reducing the vulnerability of communities affected by climate change and natural disasters.

Through pooling their expertise and resources, the partnership aims to infuse climate considerations into their respective activities and operations. This involves providing decision-makers with tools, assessment methodologies, and information resources.

The collaboration will encompass joint research, knowledge exchange, technology sharing, capacity-building endeavors, and advocacy campaigns across various sectors such as ecosystem management, healthcare, agriculture, and water resources, with the goal of strengthening climate resilience.

Ambassador Dr Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, serving as the Executive Director of COMSATS, and M. Tanveer Paracha, Chief Coordinator of NIDM, represented their respective organizations in signing the agreement.

This collaboration will prioritize the exchange of knowledge and data to bolster climate resilience. Additionally, it will focus on advocacy and policy development to increase awareness and establish effective frameworks for climate adaptation and disaster management.

This partnership reflects a shared dedication to fostering a more resilient future for communities in Pakistan and beyond. Known for its capacity-building initiatives, collaborative research, and technological solutions addressing various challenges, COMSATS delves into ventures such as AI applications, precision agriculture, food security, telehealth, drone technology, and electric vehicles. Moreover, COMSATS holds observer status with UNFCCC and hosts the COMSATS Centre for Climate and Sustainability, boasting membership from 25 Climate and Environmental Institutions.

On the other hand, NIDM-Pakistan serves as a research-based think tank under the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). It offers policy advice and facilitates capacity-building services, including research, training, system development, and expertise promotion for effective disaster preparedness and mitigation.

The signing ceremony witnessed the presence of distinguished guests and significant stakeholders, including policymakers, climate and finance professionals, and practitioners from governmental bodies like the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) Pakistan, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC) Pakistan, SDG Unit, Planning Commission, the ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF), and the Climate Resource Coordination Centre (CRCC).