Islamabad, The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) recently launched a two-day intensive training program on the Climate Change Action Adaptation Plan (CCAAP) for government officials. This training, part of the GLOF-II Project—a collaboration between the UNDP and Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination—aims to fortify climate resilience in communities. The project primarily addresses the threats of Glacial Lakes Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in climate-sensitive valleys of Gilgit Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to UNDP, Multiple governmental entities, including the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economic Affairs Division, Planning Development and Special Initiatives, the Ministry of Water Resources, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Pakistan Meteorological Department, actively participated in the sessions. These sessions provided a platform for knowledge and skill exchange on disaster risk management, emphasizing Pakistan’s significant role in Disaster Risk Reduction both domestically and internationally.
The core purpose of the training was to deepen participants’ understanding of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP). Designed by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, the NAP emphasizes agricultural and water interlinkages, urban resilience, natural and human capital, among other key areas. Its design ensures that climate resilience is woven into governance structures, policies, and implementation strategies, ensuring inclusivity and sustainability.
Utilizing data on the country’s climatic conditions, especially in relation to GLOFs, the training equipped government officials with insights to identify and tackle localized risks, enhancing their responses to climate-induced disasters. An integral part of the training also involved discussions about the integration of the Gender Action Plan into Disaster Risk Reduction measures and a deep dive into global climate-focused agreements, like the Paris Agreement from COP21. Post-training sessions, participants were taken on a tour of the Pakistan Meteorological Department to evaluate the site’s preparedness against climate-induced challenges.
Commenting on the training’s objectives, Amir Khan Goraya, the Resident representative of the Resilient, Environment and Climate Change Unit at UNDP Pakistan, emphasized that the goal is to cultivate sustainable and resilient strategies to ensure community safety and reduce threats from GLOFs and similar climate-related disasters.
Feedback from participants underlined the importance of continuous training in climate adaptation, stressing the need for sustainable and equitable climate action.
Operating in 24 valleys across Gilgit Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, UNDP’s GLOF-II project focuses on empowering communities to recognize and manage GLOF-related risks, bolstering public services to mitigate such risks, and honing community disaster readiness and response. Additionally, the project champions sustainable livelihood options in these regions, emphasizing the pivotal role of women in securing food and livelihoods.