Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has assured complete transparency in the utilization of funds to be provided by the international community for a Climate Resilient Pakistan.

Addressing a joint news conference, along with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in Geneva on Monday, he said a third-party validation mechanism has been put in place for this purpose.

The Prime Minister said we have already spent four hundred million dollars to provide basic support to 2.7 million households, while 575 million dollars spent on cash in kind support.

He said now we have to go for rehabilitation of our infrastructure and enable people rebuild their livelihoods.

He said we would generate about eight billion dollars domestically, but we are looking forward for an equal share of eight billion dollars from the international community.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan in consultation with its friend’s and institutions presented a comprehensive framework plan for resilient recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction and it includes a robust financial mechanism.

Shehbaz Sharif said we look forward working closely with our friends and the people of Pakistan will always remember their support.

He thanked the friendly countries and development partners for extending generous support during the conference.

In his remarks, the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged the world community to massively invest in building climate resilient infrastructure in Pakistan.

He said Pakistan should also be provided access to technology and knowledge to withstand the future disasters. He expressed the confidence that the Geneva conference will be the beginning of that massive investment.

The UN Secretary General said the people of Pakistan has always demonstrated resilience and generosity from enduring the national disasters and terrorism to hosting millions of Afghan refugees.

He said this resilience and generosity needs to be matched by the international community.

The UN Secretary General renewed his call to the global leaders and multilateral development banks to create ways for developing countries to access debt relief and concessional financing when they needed the most.

Antonio Guterres said it is time for meaningful climate action.

He said the decisions taken at the climate summit in Sharm al Sheikh, Egypt must be implemented and that the developed countries must deliver on their commitments.

Source: Radio Pakistan