Paris On the eve of the Summit for a New Global Financing Pact in Paris, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to discuss the problems that climate change is posing for everyone, especially Pakistan.
The prime minister wished the UN Secretary General well and welcomed him with open arms. The Secretary General responded by wishing PM Sharif well. We cannot forget your assistance during the floods last year, Shehbaz Sharif said to the UN Secretary General, making him Pakistan’s benefactor. He claimed that the UN Secretary General had personally witnessed the destruction brought on by climate change in the nation.
The prime minister also informed the UN Secretary General about the measures taken by the government for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the flood-hit areas.
“Reconstruction of the infrastructure affected by the floods and rehabilitation of the flood affected people is the government’s top priority,” he added.
He said due to the climate changes, financial burden on the developing countries had been increased manifold as they were facing new challenges to raise the economic growth and maintain fiscal balances.
PM Shehbaz called for utilizing the Loss and Damage Fund to provide financial assistance to the developing countries.
The summit in Paris for the New Global Financing Pact was a good start in the right direction, he added.
He said along with climate justice, a fair attitude was also required in the distribution of global financial resources with developing countries.
The UN Secretary General appreciated the commitment of the prime minister and his government for the rehabilitation of the flood victims.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met with President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi here wherein the two leaders agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in multiple fields.
The meeting was held here on the sidelines of the New Global Financing Pact Summit being hosted by France.
The prime minister, along with a delegation, is on an official visit here to attend the Summit on the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron.
The prime minister said that the establishment of Loss and Damage Fund at COP27 held in Sharm El-Sheikh was an important development.
He said the Loss and Damage Fund had laid the basis for an important milestone at the global level.
The prime minister said that the resolve shown at Sharm El-Sheikh was moving forward gradually.
The two leaders resolved to promote and further strengthen the bilateral relations.
They also agreed to keep up the bilateral contacts on regional as well as international affairs.
APP
