NEW YORK: US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at UN General Assembly. Anthony Blinken expressed sympathy for flood victims. He assured that US will stand with Pakistan at this difficult time.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated role of United States (US) in addressing issue of climate change and thanked country for extending help to Pakistan in face of devastating floods, prime minister’s office said.

PM also held a meeting with US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry on sidelines of 77th Session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.

Noting “devastating floods have made Pakistan ground zero for climate change”, PM appreciated Kerry’s personal leadership in raising awareness and seeking solutions to climate change crisis.

He emphasised need for continued support from international community, not only in immediate recovery and relief efforts but also during subsequent reconstruction and rehabilitation phase. He stressed that Pakistan contributed less than one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it was among ten most vulnerable countries to climate change.  He underscored importance of United States’ leadership in enabling developing countries, including Pakistan to deliver on their climate action commitments under Paris Agreement by providing sufficient tools in shape of climate finance, technology transfer and capacity-building assistance.

Special Envoy Kerry expressed solidarity with people and government of Pakistan. He said that US was ready to engage with Pakistan to collaborate in rebuilding resilient infrastructure as well as other forms of support that would avert such a crisis in future.

On other hand, Prime Minister met President of World Bank Group David R. Malpass on sidelines of 77th UN General Assembly Session. During meeting, PM and President of World Bank Group discussed World Bank's ongoing engagement with Pakistan to strengthen its infrastructure, agriculture, rural and urban development, social service, as well as economic growth.

PM Shehbaz appreciated World Bank's partnership with Pakistan and informed him about government's steps to introduce economic policies focused on strengthening economy, price stability and maintaining sustainability of external and fiscal sectors.

He apprised him of devastating impacts of unprecedented catastrophic floods in Pakistan.  He thanked World Bank Group for repurposing funds toward flood relief activities and providing $ 372 million. He underlined that Pakistan made little contribution to climate change, yet it faced impacts disproportionately.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 22 2022

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