Today's Edition
HAMAD AL KAABI, MOHAMMAD GHAZAL (DUBAI)
The UAE’s announcement of a $30 billion fund to channel investments to mitigate climate change, especially in the Global South, is a bold and historic initiative, Pakistan’s Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has said.
In an exclusive interview with Aletihad, the Prime Minister hailed the UAE’s hosting of the global climate conference: “I congratulate President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and the Government of the UAE for hosting such a fabulous event, which not only just showcased the concerns and commitment of the UAE but also the UAE’s sense of moral responsibility, political commitment, and social commitment towards the cause of climate change.”
Sheikh Zayed’s Legacy
Elaborating on the close bonds between the two nations, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the UAE’s Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, for laying a strong foundation for the two countries’ bilateral relations.
“First of all, my gratitude and my prayers for His Highness the late Sheikh Zayed, for planting the seeds of the relationship between the UAE and Pakistan. The legacy has been rightly carried on by his able son, and under his leadership, he has translated the vision of his father to another level. We have seen that the relationship has been strengthened, further converted into more opportunities, not only for the people of the UAE and Pakistan, but also for the entire region. You would find Pakistan a reliable and sustainable partner, and we do trust the UAE and its leadership, President His Highness Mohamed bin Zayed blindly,” PM Kakar said.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister attributed the strengthening of the ties to the 1.7 million-strong Pakistani diaspora in the UAE, whom he acknowledged contributed further to enhancing the close bond between the countries. The Pakistani diaspora’s contributions extend beyond the UAE’s economic structure, he noted. “Their presence has brought about important contributions towards their own communities back home. There are children attending school due to their presence here in the UAE, there are people who are receiving medical care due to their presence here in the UAE, and many are having a normal or a better lifestyle due to their presence in the UAE,” he added.
Moving to the climate domain, the Prime Minister said that the climate fund initiative by the UAE is promising, and will be translated into tangible projects, especially in the Global South.
However, at the same time, the Prime Minister noted that the challenge is global, and the contribution has to be global as well. “It is not just the UAE who should cater to climate mitigation,” he said.
He said that the sky's the limit when it comes to global climate action, highlighting the importance of modern knowledge-based economies and the transformation towards low carbon.
A Common Challenge
Reflecting on climate repercussions, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan considers climate change a “national security challenge” and a shared global issue.
“To the modern nation state, if there is any challenge that comes beyond the traditional concept of foe and friend, it varies from one geographical point to another. A foe in the Middle East would be considered a friend in Europe. A foe in Europe would be considered a friend in the Middle East. It does vary from region to region. However, climate change is a common challenge to all of us, whether it is a small nation or a large nation,” he said.
The Prime Minister added that one cannot rely on the assumption that drought would only affect a particular country, or a hurricane would target a specific nation, or the melting of a glacier would only occur in certain regions. “Yes, there will be more vulnerable countries, but that vulnerability does not protect others. Climate change is changing its face, shape, and form, affecting more or less the entire globe,” the Prime Minister affirmed.
Resolute Action
Emphasising the need for solutions, the Prime Minister said that scientific and empirical evidence should guide governments. Vulnerable nations as well as emitters determine the terms of reference for dialogue. These terms outline the role of all contributors, he noted. “Rather than being judgemental, the focus should be on resolving the challenge, and the key question is who would play that role,” Prime Minister Kakar said.
In the initial stages, the outcomes of the process were beyond the scope of human knowledge. Now, all are aware of the situation, he said, stressing that defining roles and determining who will actively contribute holds the key to resolving the climate issue.
The PM also highlighted the importance of closely watching scientific developments in the climate domain. “The buzzwords of one decade would be obsolete in another. So we have to think that the change will be kaleidoscopic, and it will be quite speedy. So we have to be vigilant about what scientific developments are happening. And we have to keep an eye on that,” he said.
Climate Mitigation
The PM also outlined Pakistan’s efforts in sustainability and climate fight, noting that the country can also benefit from the UAE-led climate fund.
“Pakistan, I presume, would be one of the beneficiaries of such funds, particularly when it comes from a brotherly country like the UAE. There are many offers on the table, where we are showcasing our renewable projects, be it solar or others. The specifics of the bankable would be discussed at the working group level. I'm sure it would be part of our climate adaptation initiatives where we're trying to adapt our energy requirements,” PM Kakar said.
UAE’s Sustainability Stewardship
The PM stressed the long and sustainable partnership between the UAE and Pakistan in terms of climate mitigation, adaptation, climate, finance, among others.
“We have signed a number of bilateral agreements in the last few days. One of the contributing and guiding principles in translating all these agreements would be the consideration of climate change problems. The new investment is centred on the idea of addressing climate change in the social and other economic areas. We do see a sustainable partnership between the two countries, with a convergence of interests between the two economies,” PM Kakar said.
The MoUs signed between the countries mark the beginning of a new chapter, he noted, expressing hope that the joint projects would increase with result-oriented projects in the coming decades.
A Regional Awakening
To add on, the PM said that there is a regional awakening when it comes to climate change. “The UAE plays a leading role in the region. It understands and appreciates its economic potential, relying on resources earned over almost half a century. There are plenty of opportunities around the region, where Pakistan contributes with its youth and their entrepreneurial and professional skills in diverse sectors.
PM Kakar highlighted agriculture, food security, mining, IT, and industry and manufacturing sectors as potential areas for joint projects, especially given the country’s 14 million population, of which 65% are under the age of 25, and can communicate in major global languages. The UAE has the right kind of capital, making partnerships in various sectors viable, he added.
