Pakistan and Switzerland inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 8 at the Nathia Gali resort, located some 80 kilometers from Islamabad, to cooperate on ways to manage natural disaster risks and improve disaster response.
The two countries solidified their commitment to foster cooperation in the domain of disaster management.
The agreement was formally signed by Switzerland Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, who is on a three-day visit to Pakistan, and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt Gen Inam Haider Malik. Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman and officials of relevant authorities also attended the signing ceremony.
What does the agreement include?
“The MoU signed this morning aims to foster increased collaboration, particularly by pooling resources, knowledge and experience in disaster risk management” a statement issued by the Swiss foreign ministry. The statement added that climate change poses a significant challenge for the entire South Asian region. Pakistan, in particular, is experiencing rising sea levels, increasingly intense monsoon rainfalls and accelerated melting of glaciers.
The Swiss foreign minister said the MoU signing was a “vital step” in helping Pakistan overcome the catastrophic effects of climate change.
Strengthening the ties between Switzerland🇨🇭and Pakistan 🇵🇰: Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to pool our resources, knowledge & experience in disaster risk management in the presence of PM @CMShehbaz Sharif and Federal Minister for Climate Change @SenatorSherryRehman. pic.twitter.com/ERSqHxvsOS
— Ignazio Cassis (@ignaziocassis) July 8, 2023
Mentioning the similarity in topography and challenges faced by both countries, he emphasized the importance of technological knowledge in dealing with complex disaster management challenges and risk management.
Minister Cassis expressed interest in exploring common solutions and collaboration opportunities. Both sides agreed continue to work together to enhance disaster management capabilities and share best practices in the field.
Pakistan PM meet Swiss FM
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday his country looked forward to cooperating with Switzerland on managing the effects of climate change and receiving an advanced weather warning system from the European country.
The prime minister praised Switzerland’s advocacy for climate-responsible sustainable development. He said he had “productive discussion on expanding cooperation in trade and investment, climate change, disaster management, risk reduction and early warning, higher education & building tourism infrastructure”.
Risk of climate disasters
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that despite his country’s less than one percent contribution to carbon emissions, it was bearing the brunt of global climate disasters.
Pakistan is among the top 10 countries highly vulnerable to climate change. Last year, flash floods killed over 1,700 people and affected 33 million people, besides incurring $30 billion in losses to the national economy.
The current monsoon rains which began in June have claimed the lives of 76 people including children from June 25 to July 9, 2023.