President Zardari Calls for Deeper Cooperation With Commonwealth
— July 30, 2024
ISLAMABAD (AIA) President Asif Ali Zardari has called for stronger cooperation with the Commonwealth in addressing climate change, education, parliamentary exchanges, and disaster preparedness.
During a meeting with a delegation led by Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Tuesday, President Zardari emphasised the importance of increased interactions among parliamentary bodies, particularly young parliamentarians and students, to strengthen and promote ties with Commonwealth member states.
Welcoming the delegation, President Zardari noted that Pakistan, as a founding member of the Commonwealth, values the organisation’s role in promoting cooperation among its members.
The discussion also touched on the impact of climate change on Pakistan. President Zardari highlighted that Pakistan has suffered significantly due to climate change. He mentioned that over two million mangroves have been planted in Sindh to mitigate these impacts, earning $27 million from trading carbon credits in the international market.
Additionally, he noted that the Sindh government has constructed 2 million flood-resilient houses in the wake of the floods of 2022.
Secretary-General Patricia Scotland acknowledged the serious climate challenges faced by Pakistan, noting its vulnerability to climate change. She highlighted the Commonwealth’s robust engagement with Pakistan and expressed her gratitude for Pakistan’s continuous support for the work of the organisation.
President Zardari appreciated Secretary-General Patricia Scotland’s climate advocacy for Pakistan, especially following the climate-change-induced devastating floods in 2022