ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that establishment of damage and loss fund for compensation of climate damage a major win for Pakistan and entire developing world.

 In a series of tweets, he congratulated his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry for hosting a historic COP. He said in monumental achievement for climate justice and G77 led by Pakistan COP27 has successfully concluded with loss and damage as part of agenda including a fund and financial arrangements to address this issue.

 Minister expressed gratitude to all members of G-77 and China for their continued support and trust in Pakistan’s leadership. He lauded teams of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Climate Change led by Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman, under leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, for a major win on world stage.

Meanhile, negotiators made no objections as COP27 President Sameh Shoukry rattled through final agenda items. And by time dawn broke over summit venue in Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on Sunday, the deal was done.

Despite having no agreement for tougher emissions reductions, “We went with what agreement was here because we want to stand with most vulnerable,” said Germany’s climate secretary Jennifer Morgan, visibly upset. 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman lauded historic United Nations (UN) deal reached to fund vulnerable countries cope with effects of climate change.

 UN COP27 summit wrapped up in Egypt with a deal for fund to help vulnerable countries cope with “loss and damage” from devastating climate impacts. Taking to Twitter, Shehbaz Sharif said that establishment of “loss and damage” fund at United Nations COP27 climate summit is “first pivotal step” towards goal of climate justice.

 He lauded Climate Change Minister Senator Sherry Rehman and her team for their efforts. “Establishment of loss and damage fund at UN climate summit is first pivotal step towards goal of climate justice,” Shehbaz tweeted.

 Sherry Rehman welcoming agreement hoped that deal will help developing countries to tackle devastation inflicted by climate change and rehabilitation of affected persons. Taking to Twitter, Rehman said that it had been “long 30-year journey from demand to formation of loss and damage fund for 134 countries”. “We welcome today’s announcement and joint text hammered out through many nights. It’s an important first step in reaffirming core principles of #climatejustice.”

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 21 2022

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