ISLAMABAD, May 31 (APP): Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Monday urged the nations to develop a global partnership to deal with the challenge of climate change calling it highly important for particularly an agrarian economy like Pakistan.
He was addressing the participants of a cycle rally arranged by the Foreign Ministry in collaboration with United Nations Development Program and Ministry of Climate Change in connection with World Environment Day.
This year, Pakistan would host the World Environment Day to be observed on June 5.
Themed “Pedal for a green Pakistan”, the cycle rally was led by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, also joined by Special Assistant to PM Malik Amin Aslam, State Minister for Climate Change Zartaj Gul, Parliamentary Secretary, UNDP Country Director Knut Ostby and diplomats from different countries and foreign ministry officers. The participants including men, women and youngsters from different walks of life wore themed T Shirts and Caps.
The theme of this year’s Environment Day, Ecosystem Restoration, is at the heart of PM @ImranKhanPTI’s Green Vision & Pakistan is committed to continue playing our due role in countering the climate crisis, protecting biological diversity & promoting ecosystem restoration. https://t.co/dizRbzt1Ao
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) May 31, 2021
He said besides desiring to maintain peaceful relations with the nations, it also wanted to make a “peace with nature.”
He said Pakistan was one of the ten countries most vulnerable to climate change but unfortunately, the people were unaware of the threat unless Prime Minister Imran Khan and his team led from the front to make the people realize the seriousness of the situation.
Participating in #PedalForAGreenPakistan . Everything we do counts! We are the generation that can make peace with nature! #GenerationRestoration #WorldEnvironmentDay pic.twitter.com/GNaNIOZFz5
— Knut Ostby (@knutostby) May 31, 2021
He said today, Pakistan was getting international recognition for its role toward environmental protection. On World Environment Day (June 5), Prime Minister Imran Khan will also announce environment friendly initiatives to cope with the challenge and preserve the natural environment.
The foreign minister recalled that during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia, both the countries signed an MoU for cooperation on the climate change issue.
Ministry of climate change in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organizes cycling rally to pedal climate action for resilient Pakistan and the resilient world. pic.twitter.com/5WKtnoCkkQ
— Ministry of Climate Change, Govt of Pakistan (@ClimateChangePK) May 31, 2021
He said he was happy that the countries were cooperating with each other to find green solution to climate change.
Qureshi said the participation of the federal ministers and diplomatic community in the cycle rally was meant to highlight the seriousness of the matter which would go a long way to create awareness among the masses.
Had great fun cycling w MFA Qureshi & fellow diplomats & cycling lovers in the #PedalForAGreenPakistan event organised by MoFA & UNDP. 🚴♀️ is good for your health & good for environment. Pleased to see women police officers. We ALL need 2 protect 🌏#GenerationRestoration pic.twitter.com/PZTOK2209h
— Androulla Kaminara (@AKaminara) May 31, 2021
He said the government’s initiatives of 10 Billion Tree Tsunami, new electric vehicle policy and other environment projects showed Pakistan’s commitment to the issue which was also being recognized.
Meanwhile, the foreign ministry also held an event related to the World Environment Day addressed by the Foreign Minister Qureshi, State Minister Zartaj Gul, SAPM Malik Amin Aslam, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood and UNDP Country Director Knut Ostby.
Great to welcome Ambassadors from across the 🌏 present in full force to #PedalForAGreenFuture. Thank you for joining us! 🌳 🚲 #WorldEnvironmentDay #GenerationRestoration pic.twitter.com/xT9OG2Y5wW
— Foreign Minister’s Public Diplomacy 🇵🇰 (@FMPublicDiploPK) May 31, 2021
Addressing as chief guest, the foreign minister said Pakistan had been reduced from a water sufficient to water deficient country.
He said keeping in view the threats posed by the climate change, US President Joe Biden also held a Climate Summit, and Malik Amin Aslam represented Pakistan in its minister level session.
He said after success of One Billion Tree Tsunami during 213 to 2018 by KPK government, the federal government’s Ten Billion Tree Tsunami project was also in progress.
Calling for serious efforts to cope with the challenge of climate change, the foreign minister congratulated the Strategic Communication Division for holding the event.