Islamabad :The three-day Policy Action Dialogue on climate change impacts in Pakistan began in Islamabad, jointly organized by ICIMOD, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC), and the Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change (CSCCC). The event focuses on the critical issues of cryosphere, water security, food security, and disaster risk reduction.
Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, Director General of ICIMOD, highlighted Pakistan’s vulnerability due to its 7,253 glaciers, urging the need for better access to climate data and effective disaster risk reduction strategies. Aisha Khan, Chief Executive of CSCCC, called for a comprehensive approach to climate change adaptation involving all sectors of society.
Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, emphasized the significance of the Indus River and the government’s initiatives like the Living Indus Project to combat water scarcity. She stressed the need for cross-sector coordination and sustainable practices to build resilience.
Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik, Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), warned of the alarming rate of glacial melt in the Indus River basin, urging immediate attention to the cryospheric crisis. He advocated for a regional approach to address these challenges effectively.
Experts like Dr. Arun Bakhta Shrestha of ICIMOD emphasized the potential loss of ice volume in the region’s glaciers and its impact on water availability. The dialogue aims to develop actionable strategies for climate resilience, bringing together diverse stakeholders to address Pakistan’s escalating climate challenges.
