Report: FT Correspondent:
ISLAMABAD — Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Senator Dr. Musadik Malik has called for stronger international cooperation on glacier research, climate innovation and equitable climate financing at a Pre-COP31 Dialogue held at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI).
Titled “From Paris to Antalya: Building Bridges Between the Arctic and the Hindu Kush-Karakoram-Himalaya Region,” the dialogue focused on glacier protection, climate finance and scientific collaboration.
Dr. Malik highlighted the impact of glacial retreat on vulnerable communities, noting that climate financing remained disproportionately concentrated in major emitting economies. He proposed a Green Virtual University for international scientific collaboration, dedicated financing for green technology start-ups and a Green Cloud to provide access to publicly funded research.
ISSI Director General Ambassador Moin ul Haque stressed the implications of glacier loss for Pakistan’s water, food and energy security, calling for stronger cooperation between Arctic and Hindu Kush-Karakoram-Himalaya institutions.
Other speakers, including representatives of France, Türkiye, Nepal, the Foreign Ministry and climate-related organisations, emphasised climate finance, clean energy, adaptation support, scientific research and regional cooperation.
During the panel discussion, experts highlighted glacier monitoring, early warning systems, disaster preparedness and community resilience. In his concluding remarks, ISSI Chairman Board of Governors Ambassador Khalid Mahmood called for integrating climate resilience into national development planning and translating scientific research into practical policies.
The dialogue was jointly organised by ISSI, the Centre for Strategic and Contemporary Research (CSCCC) and the Embassy of France, bringing together diplomats, policymakers, researchers and climate experts ahead of COP31.
