2023 International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan

Last updated

2023 International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan
Date9 January 2023
Location Geneva, Switzerland
Also known as2023 Geneva conference
Organised by Government of Pakistan and United Nations
Participants450
President Shehbaz Sharif, António Guterres

2023 International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan, more commonly referred to as 2023 Geneva conference, was a one-day international conference on aid to Pakistani Government after the devastating floods in 2022. [1] [2] The conference was co-hosted by the Pakistani Government and the United Nations, held on 9 January 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland. [1] [2] [3] Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, began the one-day conference, the more than 450 attendees including private donors, international financial organizations, and government representatives from around 40 countries. [4] [5] [6]

Contents

In the conference, Pakistan presented the “Resilient, Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Framework” (4RF) and seek international support and long-term partnerships for its implementation. [2] The 4RF document covers the funding mechanism and institutional arrangements for its execution in an open, transparent, and collaborative way, and it describes a prioritized and sequenced plan that is set at the federal and provincial levels. [7] [8]

Pakistan had created a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) with assistance from the United Nations system, World Bank Group, Asian Development Bank, and European Union. This estimate places the flood damages at over US$14.9 billion, the economic losses at over US$15.2 billion, and the cost of reconstruction at over US$16.3 billion. [9]

Pakistan raised more money than it had asked at this conference, more than $9 billion, from international financial institutions, donor agencies and development partners for the rehabilitation, recovery and reconstruction of flood-affected areas. [10] Prime Minister Shehbaz had asked for at least $8 billion from Pakistan's international allies over the following three years, to rebuild the nation, while Guterres urged for enormous support to speed up the reconstruction process. [10] [11]

Background

Pakistan's worst natural calamity in decades occurred in 2022 with the devastating floods. They caused about 15,000 deaths or injuries, submerged almost a third of the country, and caused 8 million people to flee their homes. More than 4 million acres of agricultural land, over 2 million dwellings, 13,000 kilometers of roadways, and 439 bridges were all destroyed or damaged. As a direct result of these disasters, an estimated 9 million more people may become poor. [12] Thanks to the UN's aid, the generosity of donors and partners, and the bravery of its citizens, this catastrophic climate calamity has been addressed by the Pakistani government. With the aid of foreign organizations, it gave 2.2 million households $245 million in monetary assistance and delivered hundreds of thousands of food, tents, water, and medications to the needy and the displaced. [13] [14]

After the disaster, massive reconstruction and rehabilitation are required. With assistance from the United Nations system, World Bank Group, Asian Development Bank, and European Union, Pakistan arranged for a "Post-Disaster Needs Assessment" (PDNA), which projects that flood damage will cost more than US$14.9 billion, and reconstruction needs to exceed US$16.3 billion. Works would include rebuilding of private housing, revitalization of livelihoods and agriculture, and restoration of public infrastructure, and the PDNA's major priorities include building roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals. A project "framework", the Resilient, Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Framework (4RF), was built on the outputs of the assessment. [15] [16]

Agenda and objectives

The conference's agenda asked for increased international assistance to rebuild the severely damaged infrastructure and assist the population that was afflicted by 2022's disastrous floods. As per details, the day long conference had to main agendas: Resilient, Rehabilitation, Recovery, and Reconstruction Framework (4RF). To achieve climate resilience, significant talks were held addressing institutional, financial, and implementation arrangement cooperation with other nations and stakeholders. With their opening remarks, Sharif and Guterres officially launched the 4RF while requesting finance commitments from partners and donors. [17]

The conference had two main objectives: [18] [13]

4RF plan

Pakistan presented the document outlining its 4RF strategic policy. It was created by the PDNA with assistance from international organizations. According to the PDNA assessment, there have been approximately $30 billion in overall damages and economic losses, and over $16 billion has been estimated as needed for rehabilitation and resilient reconstruction. The entire disaster recovery plan of the Pakistani government, which included comprised Strategic Recovery Objectives (SRO), a Policy Framework, a Financing Strategy, and Implementation and Monitoring Arrangements, was measured against the 4RF. A segmented and improved method had been identified in order to implement the 4RF plan successfully. [16] [19]

To build governance and state institution capacity in order to restore the lives and livelihoods of impacted people, ensure social inclusion and participation, restore and improve basic services, and rehabilitate physical infrastructure in a resilient and sustainable manner, Knut Ostby, the Pakistan representative for the UN Development Program, said, "This is a key time for the world community to stand with Pakistan and to commit to a robust and inclusive recovery from these disastrous floods." Sharif had pleaded with the international community to view the damage and the immense destruction brought on by the floods with sympathy and solidarity and to aid in the effort to rebuild better. [20] [21]

Participation

The approximately 450 attendees included representatives from around 40 nations (Heads of state/government, government representatives and high-level representatives), individual contributors, international financial organizations and private donors, as Islamabad asked for assistance in paying for around half of a $16.3 billion recovery cost. [22] [8] [3] [4] [2]

High-level attendees

As Pakistan sought disaster resilience at a conference sponsored by the UN in Geneva, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who participated in the conference via video link, expressed Turkey's commitment to the fight against climate change and vowed to stand with Pakistan. [23]

According to the Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, who participated in the conference via video link, Pakistan suffered unmatched losses as a result of the calamity. According to him, the international community should act jointly to solve the problem of climate change and assist its victims because the demands of the flood-affected population continue to be extremely great. [24]

Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, who participated in the conference via video link, stated that Paris was prepared to assist Pakistan in its discussions with financial institutions as the nation deals with significant losses from recent floods. [25]

Ignazio Cassis, the Swiss Federal Councilor for Foreign Affairs, said the world should help Pakistan in its hour of need. He claimed that the threat posed by climate change required international action. He expressed his gratitude to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for hosting the debate and recalled the Swiss assistance to Pakistan soon after the floods, which included sending a team for relief and restoration. [9] [26]

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, who also participated in the conference via video link, stated that we are supporting a comprehensive reconstruction strategy now. Together with our allies, we are working to assist Pakistan get back on track. With our humanitarian aid, Team Europe has contributed almost 500 million euros to Pakistan's reconstruction. And in keeping with our Global Gateway plan, the EU and Pakistan today reached an agreement on a package worth 87 million euros. [12]

Outcomes

For the rehabilitation, recovery, and reconstruction of flood-affected areas, Pakistan obtained more money than it had requested at this conference—more than $9 billion—from international financial institutions, donor agencies, and development partners. At the conference, Prime Minister Shehbaz requested $8 billion from Pakistan's allies over the ensuing three years to rebuild the country, and Guterres called for massive assistance to hasten the process. [27]

A day's end conclusion report stated that delegations recalled their support for emergency relief efforts and reaffirmed their commitment to Pakistan's people for a strong recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. The first plenary of the conference, according to Marriyum Aurangzeb, Minister of Information, culminated in a "generous outpouring" from the world community. [28] [10]

Action plan

Based on the following components, an organized process of support for Pakistan's strong recovery would be implemented: [29]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">World Food Programme</span> Food-assistance branch of the United Nations

The World Food Programme (WFP) is an international organization within the United Nations that provides food assistance worldwide. It is the world's largest humanitarian organization and the leading provider of school meals. Founded in 1961, WFP is headquartered in Rome and has offices in 80 countries. As of 2021, it supported over 128 million people across more than 120 countries and territories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Organization for Migration</span> Intergovernmental organization

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the principal United Nations Related Organization working in the field of migration. The organization implements operational assistance programmes for migrants, including internally displaced persons, refugees, and migrant workers.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a United Nations agency tasked with helping countries eliminate poverty and achieve sustainable economic growth and human development. The UNDP emphasizes developing local capacity towards long-term self-sufficiency and prosperity.

The World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction is a series of United Nations conferences focusing on disaster and climate risk management in the context of sustainable development. The World Conference has been convened three times, with each edition to date having been hosted by Japan: in Yokohama in 1994, in Hyogo in 2005 and in Sendai in 2015. As requested by the UN General Assembly, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) served as the coordinating body for the Second and Third UN World Conference on Disaster Reduction in 2005 and 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations Office for Project Services</span> Operational arm of the United Nations

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is a United Nations agency dedicated to implementing infrastructure and procurement projects for the United Nations System, international financial institutions, governments and other partners around the world. The organization's global headquarters is located at the UN City campus in Copenhagen, Denmark. UNOPS is in charge of disbursing more than $3 billion worth of development projects and contracts for its partners every year. Its activities have ranged from managing the construction of schools in Afghanistan, to building shelters in Haiti, to procuring ambulances to support the Ebola response in Liberia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disaster risk reduction</span> Preventing new and reducing existing disaster risk factors

Disaster risk reduction (DRR) is a systematic approach to identifying, assessing and reducing the risks of disaster. It aims to promote sustainable development by increasing the resilience of communities to any disasters they might face. DRR is normally used as policies intended to "define goals and objectives across different timescales and with concrete targets, indicators and time frames." The concept is also called disaster risk management (DRM).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nadeem Ahmad</span> Pakitstan Army general

Lieutenant-General Nadeem Ahmad is a retired senior three-star ranking general officer who is famed and widely honored for planning and coordinating the relief and reconstruction non-combatant military operations after the devastating earthquake of October 2005. Securing the appointment as the director of Federal Relief Commission of Pakistan Army, his credentials secured him the directorship of the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA). After serving in the military for nearly 40 years, he was duly appointed as the chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA); his efforts included the successful disaster management and preparations to contain the nationwide 2010 floods and coordinate the rescue operations in the Hunza Valley, Attabad Lake, and the Airblue crash.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Pakistan floods</span> Natural disaster in Pakistan

The floods in Pakistan began in late July 2010, resulting from heavy monsoon rains in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab and, Balochistan regions of Pakistan, which affected the Indus River basin. Approximately one-fifth of Pakistan's total land area was affected by floods, with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province facing the brunt of the damage and casualties. Nationwide, there were 1,985 deaths. According to Pakistani government data, the floods directly affected about 20 million people, mostly by destruction of property, livelihood and infrastructure.

Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPAs) are community-driven plans that aim to help local governments and communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change. LAPAs are typically developed in regions or communities that are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as areas prone to flooding, droughts, or extreme weather events.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urban resilience</span> Ability of a city to function after a crisis

Urban resilience has conventionally been defined as the "measurable ability of any urban system, with its inhabitants, to maintain continuity through all shocks and stresses, while positively adapting and transforming towards sustainability".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction</span> United Nations organization

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) was created in December 1999 to ensure the implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction.

The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) is a Saudi Arabian government agency that provides development assistance to developing countries by financing social and infrastructure projects. The fund seeks to support the economies of recipient countries by enhancing economic growth and promoting job opportunities. SFD was established in 1974 and began operations in 1975. SFD's activities include development, finance, trade, and funding. The fund is led by H.E. Mr. Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-khateeb who also serves as the Minister of Tourism for Saudi Arabia.

The International Recovery Platform (IRP) is a joint initiative of United Nations agencies, international financial institutions, national and local governments, and non-governmental organizations engaged in disaster recovery. IRP was founded in 2005. It came after the Second World Conference on Disaster Reduction, to support implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA). The group works to identify and address gaps in recovery knowledge, practice and constraints. In 2015, IRP aligned its work to support implementation of the newly adopted Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. It concentrated on Priority Four – building back better in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Building Back Better (BBB) is a strategy aimed at reducing the risk to the people of nations and communities in the wake of future disasters and shocks. The BBB approach integrates disaster risk reduction measures into the restoration of physical infrastructure, social systems and shelter, and the revitalisation of livelihoods, economies and the environment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sustainable Development Goal 13</span> UN goal to combat climate change

Sustainable Development Goal 13 is to limit and adapt to climate change. It is one of 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. The official mission statement of this goal is to "Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts". SDG 13 and SDG 7 on clean energy are closely related and complementary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sustainable Development Goal 11</span> 11th of 17 Sustainable Development Goals for sustainable cities

Sustainable Development Goal 11, titled "sustainable cities and communities", is one of 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015. The official mission of SDG 11 is to "Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable". The 17 SDGs take into account that action in one area will affect outcomes in other areas as well, and that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability.

Green recovery packages are proposed environmental, regulatory, and fiscal reforms to rebuild prosperity in the wake of an economic crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). They pertain to fiscal measures that intend to recover economic growth while also positively benefitting the environment, including measures for renewable energy, efficient energy use, nature-based solutions, sustainable transport, green innovation and green jobs, amongst others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Pakistan floods</span> Disaster in Pakistan

From 15 June to October 2022, floods in Pakistan killed 1,739 people, and caused ₨ 3.2 trillion of damage and ₨ 3.3 trillion of economic losses. The immediate causes of the floods were heavier than usual monsoon rains and melting glaciers that followed a severe heat wave, both of which are linked to climate change.

The events listed below are both anticipated and scheduled for the year 2023 in Pakistan.

References

  1. 1 2 "International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan | United Nations Development Programme". UNDP. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Flood-hit Pakistan hosts climate resilience meet with UN for aid". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Pakistan seeks aid for flood recovery, climate resilience - Taipei Times". www.taipeitimes.com. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  4. 1 2 "Int'l Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan in Geneva on Jan 9: FO". The Nation. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  5. ↑ "PM arrives in Geneva to co-host Climate Resilient Pakistan conference". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  6. ↑ "UN urges 'massive investments' for Pakistan flood recovery". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  7. ↑ Bizenjo, Sikander (15 May 2023). "Pakistan floods showed urgency for a range of climate actions". World Economic Forum.
  8. 1 2 Web Desk (5 January 2023). "International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan to be held in Geneva on 9 January". Pakistan Observer. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  9. 1 2 "Climate Resilient Pakistan conference in Geneva calls for support amid post-flood challenges" . Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  10. 1 2 3 Siddiqui, Naveed (9 January 2023). "Pakistan exceeds target, raises more than $9bn for flood recovery". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  11. ↑ Web Desk (9 January 2023). "Pakistan secures over $10b in pledges at Climate Resilience Conference". ARY NEWS. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  12. 1 2 "International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan | EEAS Website". www.eeas.europa.eu. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  13. 1 2 "International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan | United Nations Development Programme". UNDP. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  14. ↑ "International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan Geneva". Sweden Abroad. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  15. ↑ "AKDN attends the International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan". the.akdn. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  16. 1 2 "International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan Geneva, 9 January 2023 – Ministry of Foreign Affairs" . Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  17. ↑ "Shehbaz in Geneva to co-host International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan". www.punjabnewsexpress.com. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  18. ↑ Research, B. R. (9 January 2023). "Contextualizing today's donors' conference". Brecorder. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  19. ↑ "Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman at the United Nations International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan | January 9, 2023". U.S. Agency for International Development. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  20. ↑ "International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan | United Nations Development Programme". UNDP. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  21. ↑ "UN Secretary-General's remarks at the International Conference on a Climate Resilient Pakistan [as delivered] - Pakistan | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  22. ↑ "$10.7b pledged as Pakistan races against time". The Express Tribune. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  23. ↑ Sabah, Daily (9 January 2023). "Türkiye vows to help flood-hit Pakistan, for climate change resilience". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  24. ↑ Climate Resilient Pakistan conference in Geneva calls, for support amid post-flood challenges (9 January 2023). "Climate Resilient Pakistan conference in Geneva calls". Associated Press of Pakistan.
  25. ↑ "France ready to back Pakistan in talks with creditors, says Macron". Reuters. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  26. ↑ "UN Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan (fr)". www.admin.ch. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  27. ↑ "Donors pledge more than $9bn for Pakistan flood recovery". Aljazeera. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  28. ↑ "At Geneva conference, Pakistan secures pledges of over $10bn". Brecorder. Reuters; AFP; BR Web Desk. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  29. ↑ "Co-Chairs Summary International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan | United Nations Development Programme". UNDP. Retrieved 10 January 2023.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.