Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar emphasized the need for tangible actions rather than mere words at the World Climate Action Summit during COP28 in Dubai. Addressing the gathering, Kakar highlighted the severe impact of climate change, labeling it an existential threat to humanity. He urged COP28 to be a catalyst for action, particularly in the context of the Global Stocktake, a crucial element of the Paris Agreement.
In 2023, Pakistan presented a comprehensive national adaptation plan, and Kakar introduced the innovative Living Indus initiative. He noted the country’s leadership in establishing a global loss and damage fund, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to activate this fund with adequate financing arrangements.
Climate justice, as per Kakar, demands that developing countries achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while contributing to climate objectives. He called for the fulfillment of the $100 billion commitment for climate finance, emphasizing the importance of grant-based financing that doesn’t hinder development finance or add to the debt burden of developing nations.
The interim PM expressed hope for a successful Global Stocktake conclusion, providing a blueprint for global course correction and keeping the 1.5-degree Celsius goal within reach. He urged developed countries to lead in raising global mitigation ambitions aligned with their economic standing and historical responsibility.
Kakar stressed the necessity of achieving global resilience by establishing an ambitious framework for the global goal on adaptation, allocating at least half of climate financing for adaptation purposes.
Earlier, during a round table conference at the Global Stocktake, Kakar urged developed countries to rectify finance commitment shortfalls under the Paris Agreement. His participation in COP28 aligns with his recent call for the immediate operationalization of the loss and damage fund, which was formally established at the conference.
COP28, hosted in Dubai’s Expo City, has drawn significant attention with over 52,000 party delegates and 90,000 non-party delegates. More than 140 heads of state and government, including Caretaker PM Kakar, are expected to contribute to the discussions on climate action and the global response to climate change.
