United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Friday that Pakistan’s contribution to climate change was minimal but it was one of the countries most affected by its consequences.
He made the remarks as he attended a briefing at the National Flood Response Coordination Centre (NFRCC) alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The UN chief is currently in Pakistan on a two-day trip to seek the world’s support for the catastrophic floods which have devastated the country 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 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.”
It is the international community’s obligation to drastically reduce emissions and support countries that need to invest in resilience and recovery, he said.
“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 […] I will do my best to raise awareness in the international community.”
Speaking at the briefing, the premier thanked the UN chief for undertaking the visit, saying 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.
During the briefing, NFRCC Major General Zafar Iqbal told the participants about the situation in the country and the number of people currently suffering.
Following this, the premier heaped praise on the UN secretary general, saying that he has spoken like a “true Pakistani”. However, he reiterated that Pakistan needed international support to come out of this crisis.
“Pakistan is doing its best with its meagre resources. We thank the international community for contributing […] but unless we get sufficient support in terms of relief, in terms of repairing the damage, we will be in trouble.”
‘Pakistan dramatically impacted by climate change’
Addressing a press conference moments after the briefing concluded, the UN chief said that Pakistan had not contributed to climate change in a meaningful way. “But Pakistan is one of the most dramatically impacted countries.”
Guterres highlighted that the emissions by the country were relatively low, yet Pakistan was on the frontline of climate change.
“The 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,” the secretary general expressed.
He called on the international community to help flood victims, saying: “Pakistan needs massive financial support to respond to this crisis.”
The UN chief stressed the need for debt support. It is not a matter of solidarity, but a matter of justice, he said.
“It is absolutely essential that this is recognised by the international community, especially by those countries that have contributed more to climate change.
“And effective solidarity and justice is shown by mobilising massive support,” Guterres said.
And at the same time, the UN chief warned that the world was heading towards a disaster. “We 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.”
The secretary general added that this matter would be discussed at the next Conference of States Parties.
Earlier in the day, the prime minister had welcomed the UN secretary general as he arrived at the PM House along with his delegation.
The premier and the UN chief held a meeting to discuss the situation arising out of the catastrophic floods in the country.
The 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.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and senior officials were also present in the meeting.
