Pakistan has called for stronger international climate finance, technology transfer and regional cooperation to help developing countries deal with escalating climate risks, according to officials at a United Nations meeting in Bangkok.
The statement was made by Minister of State for Climate Change Shezra Mansab during the Ninth Session of the Committee on Environment and Development of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), held from July 1 to 3. The discussions focused on climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution across the Asia-Pacific region, which officials described as increasingly vulnerable to environmental pressures.
Pakistan reiterated its support for the environmental goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and highlighted its exposure to climate-related disasters, including floods, extreme heatwaves and glacial lake outburst floods. The country is among those most affected by climate change impacts, according to government assessments presented at the forum.
Officials said Pakistan’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) targets a 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. The minister also pointed to ongoing environmental initiatives, including the Living Indus programme aimed at restoring the Indus River basin ecosystem.
Shezra Mansab noted that a significant share of Pakistan’s electricity now comes from low-carbon sources such as hydropower and solar energy. She added that efforts are underway to strengthen disaster preparedness systems, climate-resilient infrastructure and sustainable water management.
Calling for greater global support, Pakistan emphasized that developing countries require predictable climate finance and capacity-building assistance to meet obligations under the Paris Agreement. Officials said such countries may need trillions of dollars annually to address climate challenges effectively.
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