World acknowledges Pakistan's efforts in fight against climate change: PM Imran
World Environment Day is being celebrated today
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday said that Pakistan is honored to host World Environment Day (WED). I am happy that efforts of the country for future generations are being also acknowledged internationally.
Addressing the ceremony, the premier regretted that unfortunately international community is not focusing on fight against the challenge of climate change and warned that the issue is a global one and countries cannot save themselves by shutting down their borders.
Imran Khan said that Pakistan despite being very small contributor of carbon dioxide, planted one billion trees in KP in just five years despite resistance from timber mafia and now government aims to plant 10 billion trees and it is also working on increasing mangroves in the country.
The prime minister also stressed on need of collective efforts by entire nation and said that Pakistan, being a country of young population, should use this manpower against the crisis.
Imran Khan also called on developed countries, who are biggest contributors of toxic gases in the atmosphere, to fund and sponsor green projects as poorer nations such as Pakistan which financial constraints.
It merits mention that a ceremony was in connection to World Environment Day 2021 in partnership with the UN Environment Program (UNEP). This was the first time in history that the country was officially hosting the day.
During the ceremony, Pakistan made some important announcements related to initiatives that it has taken to mitigate the effects of climate change, including the 10 Billion Trees Tsunami Program, Clean Green Pakistan, the Electric Vehicle Policy, National Parks, and Green jobs.
Messages from world leaders, including the Secretary-General of the United Nations, were broadcast during the conference. Prominent political and governmental figures, ministers, foreign ambassadors and high ranking officials also attended the conference.