Islamabad: The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with the Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change (CSCCC) and the Embassy of France, organized a Dialogue titled “Post-COP29 Dialogue: Analysis of Outcome and Strategy on Way Forward.” Senator Sherry Rehman, Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change & Environmental Coordination, and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah of the Supreme Court of Pakistan delivered keynote addresses, setting the stage for an engaging and comprehensive discussion. Opening remarks were delivered by Ms. Aisha Moriani, Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination (MoCC & EC), and Mr. Zakaria Haffar, Cooperation and Culture Attaché at the French Embassy. Thematic sessions featured experts such as Syed Haider Shah, Dr. Abid Suleri, and Dr. Pema Gyamisho, while subnational perspectives were shared by senior officials from Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, in his welcome address, highlighted COP29 in Baku as a milestone for global climate action, focusing on the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund and advancements in the Paris Agreement’s Article 6. He underscored the importance of Pakistan’s National Climate Finance Strategy (NCFS), which identifies a $348 billion financing gap and promotes mechanisms such as green bonds and public-private partnerships. Ambassador Mahmood also emphasized the need for enhanced regional cooperation, especially in water management and disaster preparedness, and called for private sector involvement to accelerate renewable energy adoption.
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah elaborated on the judiciary’s role in advancing climate justice, linking constitutional provisions with international climate obligations. He explained that climate justice transcends national boundaries, encompassing food security, displacement, and human rights. Justice Shah stressed the judiciary’s evolving role in addressing the broader impacts of climate change and highlighted the necessity of a multi-dimensional legal approach to tackle emerging challenges.
Senator Sherry Rehman stressed the urgency of transitioning from policy reports to actionable measures at both national and international levels. She called for revitalizing Pakistan’s climate governance and aligning domestic policies with global commitments. Senator Rehman emphasized Pakistan’s leadership role in representing the Global South and the need to accelerate financial transfers from developed nations to vulnerable countries to achieve climate goals.
Mr. Zakaria Haffar reiterated France’s commitment to climate diplomacy and gender equality within international negotiations. Highlighting France’s contributions of €7.2 billion under the Paris Agreement, he advocated for an exit strategy from fossil fuels and called for continued efforts to curb coal use globally.
Dr. Abid Suleri and Mr. Olivier Mahu discussed critical gaps in climate finance, noting that less than 20% of global climate funds reach developing countries. Dr. Suleri urged nations to consider the geopolitical implications of climate action, while Mr. Mahu stressed the importance of leveraging private finance for mitigation. Dr. Pema Gyamisho emphasized the Himalayan region’s critical role in ensuring food, water, and energy security for over two billion people, calling for intensified efforts to protect the cryosphere.
The subnational session highlighted regional challenges and priorities. Mr. Mahmood Ghaznavi discussed the ecological impact of glacial melt in the northern regions, while Mr. Riaz Ahmed Wagan stressed the need for federal support in forestry and biodiversity. Punjab’s representative, Mr. Noman, addressed smog as the province’s primary environmental issue, while Mr. Muhammad Ibrahim underscored Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s efforts to align with Pakistan’s NDCs on greenhouse gas emissions.
In her concluding remarks, Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam reflected on Pakistan’s pivotal role at COP29 and its recognition as a leading voice for vulnerable nations. She emphasized the need for a collective risk pool among climate-vulnerable countries and called for accountability from developed nations in meeting their commitments. Ms. Alam advocated for exploring regional solutions tailored to local challenges and stressed the importance of capacity-building for sustainable climate action.
