PM Shehbaz urges global collaboration to tackle water challenges

• 'Our rivers, glaciers vulnerable to impact of climate change': PM
• Says strong political will vital to overcome water crisis.
• PM Shehbaz says Pakistan finalising national drought plan. 

ISLAMABAD: Stressing the need for collective action, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that strong political will and global leadership were vital to overcome the water crisis posing existential threat to nations around the world.

Addressing the “One Water Summit” on the Margins of United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP-16) under the theme “Restore, Preserve, and Adapt”, PM Shehbaz expressed his profound gratitude to Saudi Arabia, France, and Kazakhstan, as well as the World Bank for organising the timely summit, to deliberate upon, one of humanity’s most pressing challenges.

He said: “Water is the lifeblood of the planet; a cornerstone of economic development, food security, and environmental sustainability.”

Speaking the summit in Riyadh, the premier said: “This life-sustaining resource, however, is coming under increasing stress. Nearly half of the world’s population is facing, water scarcity, for at least part of the year. Billions remain, without clean drinking water, as water pollution, is rising, at alarming levels.”

The country’s chief executive said that the water resources were fast depleting and degrading which was displacing millions, and causing, unprecedented destruction.

“This is not a distant threat, but an alarm bell, for collective action. Pakistan is no stranger to these challenges. Our rivers, glaciers and aquifers are increasingly vulnerable to the impact of climate change, and population growth.

He apprised the leaders at the summit that Pakistan was still grappling with the 2022, catastrophic floods, that caused, widespread damage, to its water resources and irrigation sector, in addition to affecting, millions of lives and livelihoods.

At the same time, he said droughts posed an equally potent threat to the country.

“Nearly 70% of our land consists of arid and semi-arid areas, and around 30% of our population, is directly affected by drought-like conditions. Projected temperature increases in Pakistan, are significantly higher, than the global average,” he added.

The PM highlighted that such catastrophic disasters and challenges were likely to scale up further in the absence of concerted international actions as it was one of the top ten countries, most vulnerable due to climate change.

Commenting on transboundary water management, he said that water transcended political boundaries, connecting nations and fostering shared ecosystems.

“Pakistan, therefore, attaches great importance to transboundary cooperation. The Indus Water Treaty, which governs, the sharing of the Indus Basin’s waters, is one example of such an arrangement.”

He added that the treaty witnessed unprecedented challenges in recent years, due to a number of factors, including construction of upstream dams, whereas its effective functioning was key to maintaining regional peace and stability.

The prime minister also shed light on the “Recharge Pakistan” initiative that aimed to address, climate-induced, flood risks, and mitigate drought impacts, through ecosystem based adaptations.

“We are also finalising a National Drought Plan that identifies, the most drought-affected areas, and proposes, effective response mechanisms, to mitigate, the impact of drought in these areas,” he said.

The prime minister proposed a six-point agenda at the global level to overcome water-related challenges.

He advocated for the need of international cooperation and collaboration, to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”, as provided for in the SDG-6, exchange of knowledge and expertise, as well as transfer of technologies on innovative water management on priority.

Adequate funding for climate-resilient infrastructure, and overcoming financing gap—a critical challenge for climate-vulnerable countries, the PM added.

He said that the world must also focus on a framework for transparency, data sharing and regional cooperation to avoid conflicts and promote water sharing.

The premier called for investment in skills development, research, and institutional strengthening, to tackle water challenges, at national and global levels.

“Last but not least, we required strong political will and global leadership to overcome the water crisis,” he added.

He commended the visionary leadership, and initiative of Saudi Arabia’s Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman to establish the global water organisation.

“We are proud to join this initiative, as one of its founding members and look forward to providing, all possible support, in achieving its important goals,” he said.

The PM is currently in the Saudi capital on a two-day official visit to participate in the water-related global summit.

Upon his arrival at Riyadh’s Royal Airport Terminal earlier today, the premier was warmly received by Prince Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman bin Abdulaziz, the deputy governor of Riyadh, along with Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia and other senior diplomatic staff.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant to Prime Minister Tariq Fatemi were part of the premier's delegation.

"Just landed in Riyadh to join Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and other global leaders at the One Water Summit, a timely event to deliberate upon collective strategies to tackle water security challenges," he wrote on his X official handle.

"Together, we aim to accelerate action to combat desertification, address water pollution, and advocate for local, regional and global action. Let’s unite in our pursuit for water sustainability!" he added.

PM meets Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

PM Shehbaz met Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the sidelines of the water summit.

Taking to his official X handle, the PM wrote: “Had the pleasure and honor of meeting my brother HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the sidelines of the One Water Summit in Riyadh.”

“We reaffirmed our strong brotherly ties and discussed ways to further enhance our cooperation in trade and investment.”

He further said that the frequent high level exchanges were paving the way for mutually beneficial economic cooperation between our two countries.

“Grateful for his royal highness’ personal interest and support in building closer Saudi Arabia-Pakistan ties for the benefit of our peoples.

In addition to this, PM Shehbaz held a “warm and productive” meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the water summit in Riyadh.

During the meeting both the leaders agreed to enhance cooperation through business-to-business contacts in the areas of agriculture, livestock, Information Technology, skills development and clean drinking water.

Both the leaders reiterated the shared desire of two sides to remain closely engaged on all regional and global issues of mutual interest.

Expressing satisfaction at its positive trajectory, the two leaders exchanged views on the full spectrum of Pakistan-France relationship, including political, economic, trade and investment, as well as cooperation at multilateral forums, including the United Nations.

In his remarks, PM Shehbaz stressed upon the need to further strengthen mutually advantageous economic and trade ties between the two countries and encouraged France to take advantage of investment opportunities in Pakistan, especially in areas of climate adaptation and renewable energy.

Commending France's leadership role on climate change and development issues, the premier recalled with appreciation President Macron's strong advocacy for the people of Pakistan in the wake of 2022 devastating floods.

He also warmly congratulated President Macron on the successful co-hosting of the water summit in Riyadh.

— Additional input from APP.