DAVOS - Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Thursday called for a global approach to respond to climate risks in view of vulnerability and inability of developing nation to cope with the challenge.
Participating in an interactive Session on "Adapting to Climate Risk" that focused on how the communities, companies and countries were adapting to the risks posed by climate change, here at the annual 2012 World Economic Forum, Gilani told the participants "We strongly feel that the world must come together with renewed vigour."
In his address, Gilani said Pakistan has been hit by 'horrible' droughts and floods last year and sought a 'global fund' to tackle the climate risk issues. He suggested that an important step in this regard would be channelling of finance to the Green Climate Fund, established in Durban last year. The United Nations proposed $100 billion Green Climate Fund was central to agreements reached in 2010 by UN treaty negotiators in Cancun, Mexico.
"It (climate change) is quite visible in my country. We have suffered both drought and heavy rains in past one year. It was horrible, not just by our estimates but also as per the estimates of World Bank and Asian Development Bank," Gilani said. "There has to be global solution to these problems. The first step we can take is establishing a global fund to tackle the climate risk issues and Pakistan would be happy to partner," Gilani said. "If the glaciers in Himalayas melt, there will be huge floods in Pakistan."
He mentioned a study by German Watch that declared Pakistan as the worst hit country by extreme weather events in 2010 and 8th most vulnerable country based on data of past 20 years and said Pakistan needs roughly $8-14 billion annually to adapt to climate change, which is a huge burden for any developing country.
During the panel discussion, Gilani pointed out that Pakistan has 'excellent' relationship with India, adding that cooperation between the two neighbouring countries to tackle climate change was 'doable' and Islamabad wanted to work with New Delhi on this front.
"Yes, certainly there can be cooperation. We have excellent relationship with India and we want to work together," the PM said when asked if India and Pakistan can work together on climate change. "We have been having a number of delegations from both countries on various matters like finance and industry. Certainly cooperation is doable."
Stressing that developing countries were particularly vulnerable and unable to cope, at their own, with the natural calamities in terms of massive losses to lives and property, the prime minister urged the international community to cooperate in transfer of green technologies and capacity building, besides provision of financial assistance for adaptation projects.
He said despite being among the lowest emitters both on per capita and total emissions basis, Pakistan was suffering for something nothing of its own doing.
"Over the past decade or so, we have witnessed prolonged spells of drought and new phenomena of cyclonic activity in our coastal areas," Gilani said.
Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan was concerned about the situation as the country suffered the worst ever flash floods in 2010, termed by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon as "a slow moving tsunami" as over one-fifth of the country's area was flooded. Gilani said floods again hit southern Pakistan in 2011 due to incessant rains, as it received five years of rainfall in a period of four weeks that affected 20 million people and caused damages worth $15 billion.
To a question about the measures to assess risks associated with climate change, Gilani said that Pakistan has taken some steps by creating a national disaster management authority which he himself was overseeing. He said the government had constituted a Task Force on Climate Change to provide appropriate guidelines for ensuring security of vital resources.
He said on its recommendations a National Climate Change Policy has been developed to pursue the sustained economic growth, integrate climate change into national policies, ensure water, food and energy security and to strengthen institutions dealing with climate change disasters.
The prime minister said programs for risk sharing and insurance for loss and damage were also being planned, while the corporate companies were being encouraged through tariff and market based incentives to follow low carbon path by adopting energy efficient technologies. Gilani said the private sector has to play a proactive role as a partner and serve as a beneficiary in managing climate risks.
Later, talking to reporters after an interview with the BBC, Prime Minister Gilani rejected the perception of clash between the state institutions and said all stakeholders in the country favoured democracy in the country.
Gilani said the civil society, the intelligentsia, the media, the parliamentarians, they all want democracy in the country. "Nobody is in favour of something other than democracy. Democracy is strong and will stay intact and no one has a desire to violate the constitution."
Gilani said since several things were happening at the same time, it was being felt that there was some kind of clash. He recalled his statement to a foreign media channel which led some to believe that there were some differences between the army and the government. He, however, said all institutions were working within the ambit of the constitution.
He said following his statement the person who was responsible was removed. "And since he has been removed I have nothing against them (army and ISI chiefs)," Gilani said.
About the holding of general election after the Senate election, Gilani said it was the prerogative of the government and the era of 58-2b and martial laws had gone. He said the government would hold the Senate election on time and it would be followed by the presentation of budget in May. He said he did not see any need for snap polls as the coalition government was stable as it enjoys two-thirds majority in the parliament.
To a question about Mansoor Ijaz's refusal to visit Pakistan, Gilani said he was summoned by the court, and he was not in a position to offer any comments on the matter as the issue was sub-judice.
Prime Minister, to a question about Imran Khan, said he did not participate in the general election and never succeeded in even bye-elections, and it seemed to be his party line that they would not contest the general election.
Gilani said Pakistan has got the support of all world leaders regarding the five-year partnership with the European Union and despite all odds Pakistan's economy was doing well.
