US Special Presidential Envoy reaffirms US Admin’s continued support in facing challenges due to floods
Spokesman Report
NEW YORK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized the need for continued support from the international community in immediate recovery and relief efforts as well as during the subsequent reconstruction and rehabilitation phase.
He said this while talking to US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, on the sidelines of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The Prime Minister stressed that Pakistan contributed less than one percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions, but it is among the ten most vulnerable countries to climate change. Talking about devastations caused by recent floods in Pakistan, he said over 1400 people have been died and 33 million people displaced as climate refugees, out of which over six hundred thousand are pregnant women He said that four million acres of crops have been destroyed, entire villages and livelihoods swept away.
Shehbaz Sharif underscored the importance of US leadership in enabling developing countries including Pakistan to deliver on their climate action commitments under the Paris Agreement by providing sufficient tools in the shape of Climate Finance, Technology Transfer and Capacity Building Assistance.
Special Envoy Kerry expressed solidarity with the people and Government of Pakistan and reaffirmed US Administration’s continued support in facing the challenges due to floods. He said his country is ready to engage with Pakistan to collaborate in rebuilding resilient infrastructure as well as other forms of support that would avert such a crisis in future.
Both sides agreed to continue to closely focus on climate change and energy dialogue.
Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz Sharif said his meetings with the world leaders on the sidelines of 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly focused on the need to deal with climate change and enhance trade partnerships.
“In my interactions with the world leaders on the sidelines of UNGA Session, I apprised them of the flood disaster and highlighted the need for a collective action to deal with climate change,” he said in a tweet. PM Sharif highlighted Pakistan’s intent to strengthen ties with other countries relating to trade and economy. “I also told them Pakistan is keen to build partnerships in the realms of trade and economy,” he said.