Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Malik has called for immediate and fair global action to address climate change. His appeal includes demands for deeper emission cuts and enhanced resilience financing for nations most vulnerable to climate impacts.
Dr. Malik conveyed these remarks during bilateral meetings with Mukhtar Babayev, President of COP-29 and Special Envoy on Environment to the President of Azerbaijan, and Yalchin Rafiyev, Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister and COP-29 Lead Negotiator. These discussions took place on the sidelines of the COP Heads of Delegation Retreat in Shamakhi.
The Minister emphasized that while countries of the Global South bear the harshest consequences of climate disasters, the Global North remains the primary contributor to both historical and current greenhouse gas emissions. Dr. Malik highlighted that Pakistan’s proximity to two of the world’s top carbon emitters further exacerbates its climate vulnerability. He reiterated the critical need for developed countries to fulfill their climate finance commitments and lead efforts in reducing emissions.
He underscored that climate change represents a transboundary challenge, with environmental degradation and extreme weather phenomena impacting populations across national borders. Dr. Malik advocated for strengthened international cooperation, asserting that such efforts must be rooted in principles of justice, science, and sustainability.
Both sides also explored avenues for deepening green cooperation between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. This included discussions on renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, disaster risk reduction, and adaptation strategies. Dr. Malik reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for multilateral climate governance and expressed optimism that COP-29 would deliver meaningful progress toward inclusive and science-based global climate solutions.
