ISLAMABAD: Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) Antonio Guterres said Pakistan’s contribution to global warming was minimal but it was one of the countries most affected by climate change consequences.
Antonio stated this in a briefing in Islamabad on Friday at the National Flood Response Coordination Centre (NFRCC) alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Pakistan’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar welcomes the UN Secretary-General in Islamabad.
The UN Secretary General is currently on a two-day trip to Pakistan to seek the world’s support for the catastrophic floods and to highlight the urgency to deal with the climate change crisis.
Guterres began by expressing his appreciation for all those working tirelessly to support the victims of this “unprecedented natural disaster”.
“Humanity 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,” he said.
Pakistan has contributed very little to climate change but is one of the countries most affected by its consequences, he highlighted.
“It is like nature attacked the wrong place. It should be those that are more responsible for damaging the climate and they should have to face these kind of challenges.”
He said that it was the international community’s primary obligation to reduce emissions and support countries that need to invest in resilience and recovery.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is shaking hand with the UN chief in Islamabad on Friday. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is also seen in the picture.
“My voice is entirely at the service of Pakistan and its people. We know our contribution is limited but we are totally committed.”
He went on to say: “I have always seen an enormous sense of solidarity in Pakistan. My admiration for this country and its people is limitless and I will do my best to raise awareness in the international community.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked the UN chief for undertaking the visit and said that his empathy and support was “great encouragement”.
“The government of Pakistan, along with the provincial governments and all stakeholders are working together to provide relief and rescue to millions,” he said.
PM Shehbaz said that efforts were underway and flood affectees were being moved to safer areas while also being provided food and shelter. “The challenge is absolutely beyond human capacities, yet humans have to handle it and we are.”
He 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.
