ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Minister for Education Madad Ali Sindhi while addressing the “One Planet – Polar Summit” in Paris drew attention of all participants towards the “Third Pole” which comprises of Himalayas, Karakoram and Hindukush (HKH) region and holds largest cyrospheric reserves on Earth outside polar region.
He said Pakistan alone has over 7,000 glaciers in HKH ranges which cover an approximate area of 15,000 Square Kilometer. He highlighted that HKH region is particularly vulnerable to climate change while Third Pole is world’s most substantial reservoir and is critical for freshwater supply to around 2-billion people, says a press release received here on Friday from Paris.
The Minister added that ecosystems, biodiversity, food security are all under threat; and our avalanche and glacial lake outbursts (GLOF) risk have increased manifolds. As an example of GLOF, the Minister cited incident of Shisper Glacier in 2022 which resulted in destructive flooding.
He said urgent global action is needed now to mitigate climate change and protect glaciers. He ensured that Pakistan is committed to play its role in addressing critical issues affecting polar regions and climate change’s implications on these vital glaciers.
He said we must work together for conservation through robust research, sustainable policies, and proactive steps toward safeguarding these fragile ecosystems.
The Minister emphasized that Pakistan seeks to join hands with international community reiterating its active role in shaping policy, fostering international cooperation, and enhancing global engagement for the preservation of polar and worlds’ glacial regions.
The One Planet – Polar Summit which started on November 8 is the first international Summit devoted to glaciers and poles and aims to strengthen international cooperation to preserve the cryosphere and glacial and polar biodiversity.
The major representatives of the international scientific community along with political leaders and representatives of countries present in the Arctic, Antarctic and glacial worlds are attending the 3-day Summit in Paris.