Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam on Saturday said that the Saudi Arabia and Pakistani governments are expanding research and collaboration links to tackle climate change across the two countries.
While talking to PTV news channel, he said Pakistan’s landmark initiatives like 10 billion tree tsunami project have won international acclaim, adding that ten billion project is one of the most ambitious tree planting initiatives in the world.
He said that the Saudi government was interested in replicating Pakistan’s recently launched Olive Tree Tsunami Initiative and National Agriculture Programme in the country.
Read more: Pakistan offers support to Saudi Green Initiative
He explained that the Saudi government was ready to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Pakistani climate change ministry to increase collaborations in environmental, climate change, renewable energy, water conservation and rainwater harvesting to promote Pakistan’s green initiatives in Saudi Arabia.
“This agreement would strengthen our security, build resilience to global challenges like climate change, Covid-19 and would boost strategic advantages through science and technology”, he mentioned.
Am delighted to learn of "Green Saudi Arabia" & "Green Middle East " initiatives by my brother, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman! Have offered our support on these as there are many complementarities with our "Clean & Green Pakistan" & "10 Billion-Tree Tsunami. pic.twitter.com/ExHSS8DUVh
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 29, 2021
Amin also reaffirmed his country’s desire to further strengthen amiable and fraternal ties with Saudi Arabia and also reiterated Pakistan’s support for the kingdom’s sovereignty. He also urged the media to raise awareness about the significance of planting trees.
Leaders Summit on Climate
Washington has invited 40 world leaders next month to a two-day Leaders Summit on Climate to galvanize efforts to tackle the climate crisis but has overlooked longtime ally Islamabad.
The US move irked Pakistan and a senior official in Islamabad said on Saturday that its commitment to addressing the simmering issue is “well accepted and appreciated around the world.”
Foreign Ministry spokesman Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri in a statement outlined Islamabad’s contributions to the global fight against climate change.
Read more: Pakistan not invited to Biden’s virtual climate summit
“Pakistan’s landmark initiatives like the Billion Tree Tsunami have won international acclaim, including from the World Economic Forum,” he said.
The Biden’s virtual summit, which follows Washington’s return to the 2016 Paris agreement, is slated to be held from April 22- 23.
Courtesy: APP