Climate-hit Pakistan to cooperate with Switzerland on ways to manage the risks of natural disaster

Swiss foreign minister says situation in Pakistan is a stark reminder of the urgent need for international cooperation against climate change

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Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif looks on as Ignazio Cassis and Lt-Gen Inam Haider Malik shake hands after signing a Memorandum of Understanding between Pakistan and Switzerland to promote cooperation in the field of natural disasters management. — APP

By AP

Published: Sat 8 Jul 2023, 5:56 PM

Last updated: Sun 9 Jul 2023, 3:01 PM

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Saturday his country looked forward to cooperating with Switzerland on managing the effects of climate change and receiving an advanced weather warning system from the European country.

Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis and the head of Pakistan’s disaster management authority, Lieutenant-General Inam Haider Malik, signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Nathia Gali resort, located some 85 kilometres from Islamabad, to cooperate on ways to manage natural disaster risks.

The two countries announced they will “pool resources” to help strengthen Pakistan’s response to such disasters.

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The Swiss foreign minister, who was on a three-day visit to Pakistan, said the MoU signing was a “vital step” in helping Pakistan overcome the catastrophic effects of climate change. The situation in Pakistan was a “stark reminder” of the urgent need for international cooperation against climate change beyond borders, he added.

The South Asian nation has been grappling with the effects of climate-induced rains and floods.

Shahbaz Sharif, present at the event, said that despite his country's less than one per cent contribution to carbon emissions, it was bearing the brunt of global climate disasters.

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Pakistan is among the top 10 countries highly vulnerable to climate change. Last summer’s flash floods killed over 1,700 people and left millions homeless, besides incurring $30 billion in losses to the national economy.

The current monsoon rains which began in June have claimed the lives of 55 people including eight children.

AP

Published: Sat 8 Jul 2023, 5:56 PM

Last updated: Sun 9 Jul 2023, 3:01 PM

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