By: Muhammad Arif, Editor NSN.Asia
Islamabad: The two-day international Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (APFFD) on ‘Gender Empowerment and Green Economy’ will commence from Monday (August 12-13) in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan.
Female parliamentarians from 22 regional states will be participating in the conference being held to discuss the impacts of climate change on women and their role in the green economy.
Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Romina Khurshid Alam on Friday announced while addressing a curtain-raiser press conference.
She added that these parliamentarians would gather to share personal experiences, and knowledge, and mull over regional solutions for the challenges like population and climate change that have posed formidable threats to human security in the region.
In 1982, she said Pakistan was the founding member of this forum, whereas in the 1994 APFFD Conference, the then Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto had actively participated in the global moot.
Pakistan has a great opportunity to host the APFFD two-day international conference from August 12-13. The outcomes of the two-day global conference would be shared with the media in an exclusive briefing to be held under the patronage of the Prime Minister later, she added.
The conference, she said would specifically focus on green sectors, knowledge exchange, and best practices sharing among developing countries.
Climate diplomacy was an important tool to address global warming and environmental degradation, necessary to promote stronger and durable collaborations for enhancing climate resilience for a sustainable future for all, she added.
Romina Khurshid Alam said that Pakistan would play a pivotal role in this conference and would take the lead role in engaging female parliamentarians of the member states in working out fruitful recommendations. “Climate change is a global issue and it has connected entire humanity.
PM Shehbaz Sharif always gives priority to climate change, gender and peace,” she said.
The APFDD comprises of 30 member states whereas delegates from 23 states have confirmed whereas the delegates from Cambodia, Japan, China, Vietnam, Magnolia, Thailand and other regional countries are participating in the forum.
Responding to a query, Romina said the 23 delegates participating in the conference also included Japan’s Minister of State for Education and Culture along with parliamentarians having strong leadership roles in their respective parliaments.
Overall, 300 international participants would attend the two-day international conference whereas organisations like UNFPA, Path Finders and others were collaborating with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination to make the conference a success, she added.
Replying to an APP’s query, the PM’s aide informed that the APFFD office had sent invites to all member states whereas the participation of India was subject to its own decision. “Pakistan is welcoming all with open arms. However, India is not a member of the standing committee of the APFFD,” she added.
She informed that all ministerial sectors were united in holding the conference which was also part of the COP29 preparatory process involving pre-COP lobbying. The ministry would share separate details on COP29, she said.
The Prime Minister has formulated an inter-ministerial committee on the COP29 and climate change-related negotiations for well-coordinated efforts and preparations, she said.
Pakistan needs to address climate change and mitigate its effects on people and their livelihoods.
Research Reports indicate climate-related events, environmental degradation, and air pollution may cause Pakistan’s GDP to shrink by 18-20% by 2050.
Nations around the world are gearing up towards the climate neutrality by 2050, boost their green economy through green technology, create sustainable industry and transport, and cut pollution.
Inclusion of ‘Gender Empowerment and Green Economy’ in developing climate policy, climate action and emissions reduction is a vital step by the APFDD.
