Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 30 Oct 2024

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

MESSAGE FOR WORLD CITIES DAY

“Youth Climate Changemakers: Catalyzing Local Action for Urban Sustainability”

31 October 2024

On this World Cities Day, we recognize the role of young people in driving climate action and shaping urban futures.

With more than half of the world’s population and 70 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, cities are at the forefront of the climate crisis. And they need the energy and vision of youth leading the charge for change.

From grassroots movements to innovation labs, young people are pushing for ambitious climate action.  They are championing renewable energy integration, green jobs, clean public transportation, and climate adaptation measures – contributing to shape sustainable cities where everyone can thrive.

We must amplify their voices, invest in their ideas, and promote their meaningful participation in urban decision-making. By empowering young people, we can accelerate climate action and drive global progress for the Sustainable Development Goals.

As we mark World Cities Day, let us celebrate the power of youth to build green, resilient and inclusive cities that meet the needs and aspirations of future generations.

UNDP

PRESS RELEASE

Pre-COP29 Dialogue in Islamabad highlights national and subnational perspectives ahead of COP29

Islamabad, 29 October 2024 — The Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change (CSCCC), in cooperation with the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC) and with support from UNDP Pakistan, convened a comprehensive day-long dialogue titled “Pre-COP29 Dialogue: National and Subnational Perspectives,” as part of its preparations for COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The event brought together representatives from the national and subnational governments, international organizations, multilateral development banks, experts, academia, civil society, and media to explore the complexities and challenges surrounding two key COP29 pillars: enhancing ambition and enabling action, with a strong emphasis on climate finance.

In her keynote address, the Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change & Environmental Coordination, Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, reaffirmed Pakistan’s call for a reformed Global Financial Architecture to support vulnerable countries. “The needs of developing countries range from $400 billion to $1 trillion, and this finance must flow from the Global North to the Global South,” she stated. The Additional Secretary (In-charge) of MoCC&EC, Ms. Aisha Humera Chaudhry, also provided insights into Pakistan’s strategies for the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) 3.0 and the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) in the lead-up to COP29, outlining the ministry’s commitment to aligning national ambitions to these international goals. She further shared details of the 30+ events planned by Pakistan at COP29.

Former Minister for Climate Change, Senator Ms. Sherry Rehman, emphasized that Pakistan needs a focused, goal-oriented agenda for COP29. “We cannot afford to approach COP29 with ‘business as usual.’ Instead, Pakistan should build alliances with like-minded partners such as the G77+China to hold developed countries accountable for their emissions and to secure the financing commitments that developing countries need,” she urged.

The event also featured three focused panel discussions, allowing experts and policymakers to delve deeper into Pakistan’s climate priorities and strategies for COP29.

UNDP Pakistan’s Resident Representative Dr. Samuel Rizk praised Pakistan’s initial NDC commitments, while highlighting the current global financing challenges. “In this climate of shrinking finance, the world needs multilateral solidarity more than ever to push for bold, accelerated action,” he noted, emphasizing that civil society organizations are instrumental in supporting global climate solidarity from the grassroots level.

In his keynote, Dr. Ishrat Hussain, Former Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, underscored the dual imperative of climate action and economic development. “Failing to execute a climate change agenda could have devastating effects on the global economy, but climate action also represents a unique opportunity for sustainable growth,” he said. He also stressed that climate finance must support poverty reduction and development, with effective governance and strong institutional structures as crucial for achieving these goals.

A detailed policy brief highlighting the key policy recommendations from the dialogue will be released and shared with government stakeholders to guide Pakistan’s climate action strategies ahead of COP29.

For additional information, please contact Fizza Bangash at fizza.bangash@undp.org or +92 (51) 835 5631

About UNDP:

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