Pre-COP29 Dialogue in Islamabad Focuses on Climate Finance and Strategies

Islamabad: The Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change (CSCCC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC and EC) and supported by UNDP Pakistan, organized a day-long dialogue titled “Pre-COP29 Dialogue: National and Subnational Perspectives,” as part of preparations for COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The event gathered representatives from various sectors to discuss the challenges and strategies related to climate finance and enhancing ambition in climate action.

According to United Nations Development Programme, the dialogue featured discussions by representatives from national and subnational governments, international organizations, multilateral development banks, experts, academia, civil society, and media. Keynote speakers addressed critical components of the COP29 agenda, with a particular emphasis on climate finance. Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, reiterated Pakistan’s call for a reformed Global Financial Architecture to aid vulnerable countries. She highlighted the financial needs of developing nations, which range from $400 billion to $1 trillion, and stressed the importance of financing from the Global North to the Global South.

Ms. Aisha Humera Chaudhry, Additional Secretary (In-charge) of MoCC and EC, discussed Pakistan’s strategies for Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) 3.0 and the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) as the country prepares for COP29. She detailed over 30 events planned by Pakistan at the upcoming conference. Former Minister for Climate Change, Senator Ms. Sherry Rehman, urged a shift from a “business as usual” approach, advocating for alliances with partners like the G77+China to hold developed nations accountable for emissions and secure necessary financing.

The event included focused panel discussions on Pakistan’s climate priorities and strategies for COP29. Dr. Samuel Rizk, UNDP Pakistan’s Resident Representative, commended Pakistan’s initial NDC commitments and highlighted global financing challenges, calling for multilateral solidarity to drive bold action. Dr. Ishrat Hussain, Former Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, emphasized the importance of integrating climate action with economic development, stressing the need for climate finance to be aligned with poverty reduction and effective governance.

A policy brief summarizing the dialogue’s key policy recommendations will be released to guide Pakistan’s climate action strategies ahead of COP29.

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