PR No. 169 PM’s aide Romina Khurshid addresses post-COP29 dialogue: calls for incl

Prime Minister's Coordinator for Climate Change, Romina Khurshid Alam emphasized the urgency and responsibility in addressing the global climate crisis. Speaking at the Post-COP29 Dialogue on Tuesday, Ms. Romina outlined the complexity of the climate challenges and the collective actions necessary to confront it. Reflecting on COP29, referred to as the "COP of finance," she acknowledged some progress made, such as the adoption of the new collective quantified goal (NCQG) aiming to mobilize $300 billion by 2035 and the call to scale up financing to $1.3 trillion annually. However, she pointed out that the outcomes were insufficient in light of the severity of the climate emergency. She stressed that the results resonate deeply with Pakistan, where the impacts of climate change are both immediate and life-altering. Ms. Romina highlighted the lack of significant advancements in key areas, including the global stocktake, the mitigation work program, and the loss and damage fund. These gaps, she said, underscore the need for a more inclusive, equitable, and accountable approach to global climate governance. For Pakistan, she emphasized that climate change is not merely a policy issue but a matter of survival. The devastating floods, increasing water scarcity, and escalating heatwaves have underscored the urgent need for climate preparedness to prevent setbacks to the nation's development aspirations. Today's dialogue reaffirmed the importance of integrating subnational perspectives into national climate strategies, Ms. Romina stated. She noted recurring challenges such as accessing climate finance, coordinating across federal and provincial levels, and the need for capacity-building. Moving forward, she called for actionable solutions, particularly empowering subnational governments to implement climate adaptation and mitigation measures. While acknowledging the progress made with the NCQG, Ms. Romina stressed the need to advocate for fair, accessible, and predictable financial flows. She emphasized that the $300 billion target should be viewed as a floor, not a ceiling, and pledged Pakistan's continued efforts to address inequities in climate finance mechanisms. Empowering youth and women in climate governance was another crucial point raised by Ms. Romina. She stated that their inclusion is essential to bringing innovation and equity into decision-making processes. She further emphasized the importance of integrating climate considerations into all sectors of governance, with a focus on nature-based solutions, green infrastructure, and community-led initiatives. She reminded attendees that the journey does not end with COP29, urging a focus on developing actionable frameworks for climate finance at national and sub-national levels and reinforcing institutional capacity to bridge the gap between commitments and implementation. As the road to COP30 unfolds, she called for a unified, inclusive narrative that places Pakistan at the forefront of global climate action.

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