PAKISTAN
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, addressed the COP30 side event “Upscaling the Green Pakistan Programme (UGPP): A Success Story” through a special video message, spotlighting Pakistan’s accelerated progress in landscape restoration and community-led conservation.
The event, organized by the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination, showcased Pakistan’s milestones in reviving degraded ecosystems, expanding forest cover, and empowering local communities through the UGPP.
In his remarks, Dr. Malik underscored that while global climate dialogues often center on greenhouse gas emissions, meaningful climate action depends equally on enlarging the natural systems that absorb carbon. “Carbon sequestration requires factories that absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. That factory is a tree,” he noted, emphasizing the central role of forests in climate mitigation and resilience.
Billions of Trees Restoring Barren Lands
A central theme of Dr. Malik’s message was the unprecedented scale of ecological revival undertaken through the UGPP. He highlighted that Pakistan has restored vast tracts of degraded and barren land by planting billions of trees, turning once-lifeless landscapes into thriving green ecosystems rich in biodiversity.
These restoration efforts are not only improving soil health and strengthening natural habitats but are also enhancing Pakistan’s capacity to withstand climate shocks such as floods, heatwaves, and droughts.
Communities at the Heart of Climate Action
Dr. Malik emphasized that the programme’s success extends beyond environmental gains. UGPP has deeply engaged local communities, raising climate awareness and enabling people to actively participate in protecting and managing nearby forests. This community-driven stewardship, he noted, has fostered a sense of ownership that is critical to sustaining long-term conservation outcomes.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s dedication to nature-based climate solutions, Dr. Malik said, “We stand with our forests and with all the forests of the world because we stand with the climate, and we are determined to protect it.”
The event also featured the screening of a short documentary capturing field achievements, community participation, and on-ground ecological transformation under UGPP. A panel discussion followed, with climate experts, development partners, and civil society representatives exploring the programme’s role in global forest restoration and resilience-building efforts. – ER News Desk
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