United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Friday that Pakistan\u2019s contribution to climate change was minimal but it was one of the countries most affected by its consequences.
\nHe made the remarks as he attended a briefing at the National Flood Response Coordination Centre (NFRCC) alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
\nThe UN chief is currently in Pakistan on a two-day trip to seek the world\u2019s support for the catastrophic floods which have devastated the country and to highlight the urgency to deal with the climate change crisis.
\nGuterres began by expressing his appreciation for all those working tirelessly to support the victims of this \u201cunprecedented natural disaster\u201d.
\n\u201cHumanity has declared war on nature and nature is tracking back. But nature is blind. It is not striking back on those who have contributed more to the war on nature,\u201d he said.
\nPakistan has contributed very little to climate change but is one of the countries most affected by its consequences, he highlighted.
\n\u201cIt is like nature has attacked the wrong targets. It should be those that are more responsible for climate change that should have to face these kind of challenges.\u201d
\nIt is the international community\u2019s obligation to drastically reduce emissions and support countries that need to invest in resilience and recovery, he said.
\n\u201cMy voice is entirely at the service of Pakistan and its people. We know our contribution is limited [\u2026] but we are totally committed.\u201d
\nHe went on to say: \u201cI have always seen an enormous sense of solidarity in Pakistan. My admiration for this country and its people is limitless [\u2026] I will do my best to raise awareness in the international community.\u201d
\nSpeaking at the briefing, the premier thanked the UN chief for undertaking the visit, saying that his empathy and support was \u201cgreat encouragement\u201d.
\n\u201cThe government of Pakistan, along with the provincial governments and all stakeholders [\u2026] are working together to provide relief and rescue to millions,\u201d he said.
\nPM Shehbaz said that efforts were underway and flood affectees were being moved to safer areas while also being provided food and shelter. \u201cThe challenge is absolutely beyond human capacities, yet humans have to handle it and we are.\u201d
\nHe once again thanked the UN secretary general for visiting Pakistan, stating that authorities would provide him with first-hand information about what was happening in the country.
\nDuring the briefing, NFRCC Major General Zafar Iqbal told the participants about the situation in the country and the number of people currently suffering.
\nFollowing this, the premier heaped praise on the UN secretary general, saying that he has spoken like a \u201ctrue Pakistani\u201d. However, he reiterated that Pakistan needed international support to come out of this crisis.
\n\u201cPakistan is doing its best with its meagre resources. We thank the international community for contributing [\u2026] but unless we get sufficient support in terms of relief, in terms of repairing the damage, we will be in trouble.\u201d
\n\u2018Pakistan dramatically impacted by climate change\u2019
\nAddressing a press conference moments after the briefing concluded, the UN chief said that Pakistan had not contributed to climate change in a meaningful way. \u201cBut Pakistan is one of the most dramatically impacted countries.\u201d
\nGuterres highlighted that the emissions by the country were relatively low, yet Pakistan was on the frontline of climate change.
\n\u201cThe numbers are appalling. But beyond the numbers, I see the families that have lost their loved ones, houses, crops, jobs and are living in desperate conditions,\u201d the secretary general expressed.
\nHe called on the international community to help flood victims, saying: \u201cPakistan needs massive financial support to respond to this crisis.\u201d
\nThe UN chief stressed the need for debt support. It is not a matter of solidarity, but a matter of justice, he said.
\n\u201cIt is absolutely essential that this is recognised by the international community, especially by those countries that have contributed more to climate change.
\n\u201cAnd effective solidarity and justice is shown by mobilising massive support,\u201d Guterres said.
\nAnd at the same time, the UN chief warned that the world was heading towards a disaster. \u201cWe have waged war on nature and nature is striking back in a devastating way. Today, it is Pakistan. Tomorrow, it can be your country. We need to stop increase in emissions and start reducing them now.\u201d
\nThe secretary general added that this matter would be discussed at the next Conference of States Parties.
\nEarlier in the day, the prime minister had welcomed the UN secretary general as he arrived at the PM House along with his delegation.
\nThe premier and the UN chief held a meeting to discuss the situation arising out of the catastrophic floods in the country.
\nThe two sides focused on joint efforts to carry out relief, rescue and rehabilitation at international level to mitigate the sufferings of the flood-affected people.
\nForeign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and senior officials were also present in the meeting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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