Antalya: Prime Minister of Pakistan, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, met with President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, on the sidelines of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) in Antalya, Turkiye. The meeting focused on reviewing and strengthening the relationship between Pakistan and Finland in areas such as trade, education, and technology.

According to Press Information Department, Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the importance of transforming the longstanding friendly relations into a dynamic partnership. Areas identified for cooperation included trade and investment, education and skills development, technology, climate resilience, and fostering people-to-people contacts.

The Prime Minister highlighted the potential for increasing bilateral trade and welcomed Finnish companies like Nokia, Wärtsilä, Metso, and Vaisala that operate in Pakistan. He encouraged further business engagement, technology transfer, and investment in sectors such as telecommunications, advanced manufacturing, clean technologies, and mining.

Discussions also covered climate change, disaster risk reduction, and environmental collaboration. Prime Minister Sharif expressed interest in Finnish expertise in flood forecasting, water management, climate-resilient agriculture, glacier monitoring, and early-warning systems.

The leaders discussed the importance of dialogue, mediation, and peaceful resolutions to conflicts, specifically addressing efforts in Ukraine and West Asia. President Stubb acknowledged Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue between Iran and the United States.

Both leaders agreed on the importance of maintaining regular engagement and exploring practical avenues for deepening bilateral cooperation. Prime Minister Sharif extended an invitation to President Stubb for an official visit to Pakistan at a mutually convenient time.