Islamabad : A national stakeholder workshop on “Developing Inclusive Climate Commitments: NDCs 3.0 for Pakistan” was organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) to discuss the country’s progress and future strategies under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) framework. Key speakers included Dr. Shafqat Munir, Deputy Executive Director SDPI; Muhammad Arif Goheer, Executive Director GCISC; Samuel Rizk, UNDP Resident Representative; Aisha Moriani, Secretary MoCC; Sobiah Becker of GIZ; and Muhammad Mustafa, Chairman Pakistan Renewable Energy Coalition.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Shafqat Munir emphasized the urgent need to strengthen Pakistan’s climate policies to combat escalating environmental challenges. He highlighted the importance of building a resilient and sustainable framework, urging stakeholders to prioritize inclusivity in developing NDCs.
Muhammad Arif Goheer underscored Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate impacts and called for practical, actionable commitments under the NDCs. He stressed the need for robust adaptation and mitigation strategies, aligning them with global climate goals to safeguard the nation’s future. “Our commitments must be concrete, with a strong focus on innovation and resilience planning,” he said.
UNDP’s Samuel Rizk emphasized that Pakistan’s NDCs should reflect realistic, actionable ambitions that integrate developmental and climate needs. He urged the government to prioritize international cooperation and leverage the workshop outcomes to create a more inclusive NDC document.
Secretary MoCC Aisha Moriani called for policy reforms to promote green technologies, such as electric vehicles and solar energy. She highlighted the importance of technology transfer and localization to ensure sustainable development. “Incentivizing the green transition is vital for long-term economic and environmental gains,” she added.
Sobiah Becker emphasized the need for collaboration between the public and private sectors to achieve ambitious climate goals. She stressed policy coherence between national and provincial levels to ensure a unified approach. “Innovation from the private sector and policy support from the public sector are essential to meet NDC objectives,” she remarked.
Chairman Muhammad Mustafa advocated for stronger linkages between Pakistan’s climate commitments and global climate finance. He pointed out the critical need for reliable baseline data to monitor progress effectively and attract international funding. He also reiterated the importance of enhancing renewable energy initiatives and improving energy efficiency.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director SDPI, urged stakeholders to renew their commitment to refining and implementing NDCs. He highlighted the importance of integrating policies, technology, and financing to ensure Pakistan not only meets but exceeds its climate goals. The workshop concluded with a collective resolve to build a sustainable, climate-resilient future for Pakistan.