Media Update-2: United Nations Pakistan, 19 October 2023

UNDP

PRESS RELEASE

Cementing Climate Resilience through trainings on Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan (CCAAP) and the National Adaptation Plan (NAP)

Islamabad, October 19, 2023: The United Nations Development Program rolled out an intensive two-day training on Climate Change Action Adaptation Plan by the GLOF-II Project for government officials. The GLOF-II Project, a joint initiative by the United Nations Development Program, and the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination; aims at strengthening climate-resilience of the communities through strategic policy interventions and adaptation measures to reduce the risks associated with Glacial Lakes Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in the most climate vulnerable valleys of Gilgit Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A multitude of government bodies and ministries, comprising the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economic Affairs Division, Planning Development & Special Initiatives, the Ministry of Water Resources, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Pakistan Meteorological Department, wholeheartedly engaged in the training sessions. These sessions facilitated a rich exchange of knowledge and expertise on disaster risk management. Moreover, the participants were keenly aware of Pakistan's substantial responsibilities in the realm of Disaster Risk Reduction, both on the global stage and within the country. This collaborative effort highlights the commitment of these key stakeholders in strengthening disaster resilience in Pakistan.

The training’s main objective was to enhance the knowledge of the participants on the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) developed by the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination. Tapping into the agriculture-water nexus, urban resilience, natural capital, and human capital amongst other priority areas; NAP’s focus is to enhance resilience and mitigate risks, while promoting sustainable growth through gender, youth, and social inclusion. The Plan is comprehensively based on several guiding principles and approaches to cement climate resilient by integrating adaptation mechanisms into governance models, policies, and implementation strategies, such that no one is left behind.

By engaging government officials, the training, through data and information on climatic conditions of the country, specifically in the context of GLOFs, encouraged participants to identify, understand and address local risks for better and more affective response to climate-induced disasters.

The participants, through engaging conversations, were briefed on the integration of the Gender Action Plan into Disaster Risk Reduction frameworks and policies, while unpacking international and national climate-centric conventions and treaties, such as the Paris Agreement adopted at the Conference of Parties (COP21). Following the sessions, the participants were taken on an exposure visit to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, which entailed a physical examination of the site to assess the conditions and susceptibility to climate-induced disasters of buildings, infrastructure, and facilities.

“Our aim through such trainings on climate-adaptation policies and interventions remains to be to incubate sustainable and climate resilient mechanisms through which our communities are secure and protected, and that the vulnerabilities and risks posed by GLOFs, and other climate-induced disasters are reduced,” stated Amir Khan Goraya, the Resident representative of the Resilient, Environment and Climate Change Unit at UNDP Pakistan on the note of the training.

The participants, in the feedback session, recommended the continuation of such trainings on climate adaptation to reiterate the urgency and need for equitable and sustainable climate action.

UNDP’s GLOF-II project works in 16 valleys of Gilgit Baltistan and 8 valleys in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It empowers communities to identify and manage risks associated with GLOFs and related impacts of Climate Change, strengthen public services to lower the risk of disasters related to GLOF, and improve community preparedness and disaster response. The project also supports development of sustainable options for livelihoods in project areas, with a particular focus on the participation of women in ensuring food security and livelihoods.

For additional information, please contact Shuja Hakim at shuja.hakim@undp.org  or +92 (51) 835 5650

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