ISLAMABAD STAFF FREPORTER
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Jemal Beker Abdulla, Special Envoy and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination.
H.E. Jemal Beker Abdulla briefed the Minister on Ethiopia’s flagship Green Legacy Initiative, launched in 2019 with the vision of fostering harmony with nature and creating a safe and progressive environment, particularly empowering women through sustainable practices. He also underscored the urgency of global climate action, noting that countries like Pakistan are bearing severe consequences of climate change despite contributing minimally to the crisis, making timely action for adaptation and sustainability essential.
The two sides discussed potential avenues of collaboration between Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative and Pakistan’s Green Pakistan Programme, focusing on knowledge exchange, large-scale afforestation, and community-led conservation efforts.
Dr. Musadik Malik highlighted the crucial role of youth as catalysts for positive climate action and agreed on the need to empower young leaders to drive sustainable development agendas.
Dr. Musadik Malik shared recent steps taken by the Ministry to support youth-led environmental innovation, including facilitating five Pakistani green startups to participate in the SDG Fair in Seville, Spain, to connect with international investors and scale their initiatives. He appreciated Ethiopia’s journey in implementing nationwide green policies, describing it as an inspiring model from which Pakistan can draw valuable lessons.
The Minister also expressed concern over the growing challenges of food security in Pakistan amid a rapidly increasing population. He emphasized the importance of integrated solutions that combine sustainable resource management, efficient water use, and environmentally responsible agricultural practices to build long-term resilience.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in environmental conservation, promoting sustainable and climate-smart initiatives, and working together to create a greener, more resilient future for their nations and the global community.
