Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, held high-level bilateral meetings with key COP-29 leadership during the Heads of Delegation Retreat in Shamakhi, Azerbaijan. The minister met with H.E. Mukhtar Babayev, President of COP-29 and Special Envoy on Environment to the President of Azerbaijan, as well as H.E. Yalchin Rafiyev, Deputy Foreign Minister and Lead Negotiator for COP-29. The meetings focused on enhancing global climate cooperation, emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated efforts on climate resilience, mitigation, and sustainable development. Both sides acknowledged that the intensifying impacts of climate change demand immediate and equitable responses from the international community. Dr. Malik stressed that while countries of the Global South suffer the greatest consequences of climate-related disasters, the Global North remains responsible for the majority of historical and ongoing greenhouse gas emissions. He pointed out that Pakistan, one of the most climate-vulnerable nations, is located next to two of the world’s largest carbon emitters, which further exacerbates its exposure and risks. “Climate change is a transboundary crisis,” Dr. Malik stated. “Its impacts—be it floods, heatwaves, or pollution—do not respect national borders. It is imperative that developed countries lead by example, fulfill their climate finance pledges, and support climate-vulnerable nations through technology transfer and capacity building.” The meetings also explored new avenues for green cooperation between Pakistan and Azerbaijan in areas such as renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, disaster risk reduction, and adaptation strategies. Dr. Malik reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to multilateral climate governance and expressed hope that COP-29 would deliver meaningful progress toward a just, inclusive, and science-driven global climate agenda.
Pakistan Calls for Stronger Global Climate Action: Dr. Musadik Malik Meets COP-29 Leadership in Azerbaijan
