Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani emphasized the urgent reality of climate change, highlighting Pakistan’s vulnerability despite its minimal contribution to global emissions. Speaking at the “Ethiopia-Pakistan Green Dialogue: Lessons from Ethiopia’s Green Legacy” at the COMSTECH Auditorium in Islamabad on Monday, Gilani noted Pakistan’s susceptibility to floods, glacial melt, and droughts.
He lauded Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, a reforestation and sustainability model. He emphasized that both countries, facing similar environmental hurdles, could benefit from South-South collaboration. Gilani underscored Pakistan’s global climate diplomacy efforts, including promoting the Loss and Damage Fund at COP27 and advocating for climate finance at COP29.
He called for practical joint efforts, including task forces, parliamentary interactions, and research collaborations. An invitation was extended to Ethiopia’s parliamentary leaders for the upcoming Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference. Gilani highlighted Pakistan’s legislative efforts, including the Climate Change Act and National Energy Efficiency Act. He urged parliamentary committees to monitor climate finance, adaptation strategies, and carbon markets.
The Chairman drew parallels between Pakistan’s Green Pakistan Programme, Living Indus Initiative, Indus Delta Blue Carbon Project, and Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative. He stressed the importance of South-South cooperation in addressing the challenges of limited climate finance, extreme weather, and climate-dependent economies.
Gilani advocated for coordinated endeavors across government, parliamentary, and institutional levels, suggesting a Joint Task Force on Climate Resilience. He also proposed strengthening academic and research ties to facilitate knowledge exchange. Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Coordinator General of OIC-COMSTECH, stressed the significance of green diplomacy and joint action against climate change, deforestation, and environmental damage.
Ambassador Dr. Jemal Beker Abdula highlighted Ethiopia’s Green Legacy campaign, which has become an international benchmark for combating climate change. Other speakers emphasized regional and global cooperation for sustainable progress and climate action. Green Legacy Awards were presented, followed by a tree planting ceremony.
A panel discussion on Green Legacy Initiatives brought together specialists and policymakers, focusing on environmental sustainability. The dialogue concluded with a Q and A session and networking lunch, with participants endorsing stronger Pakistan-Ethiopia partnerships in climate resilience and sustainable development.