ISLAMABAD: Speakers on Monday called for regional cooperation to save people from the effects of climate change.

They were speaking at a seminar titled ‘Strengthening regional climate resilience’ programme on the theme of ‘Resource-conflict nexus’ as part of a strategic lead-up to COP30 in Brazil organised Institute of Regional Studies (IRS).

Minister of State for Climate Change Dr Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal spoke about Pakistan’s climate diplomacy priorities, calling attention to the global financing gap.

She gave an overview of Pakistan’s upcoming COP30 focus on finance, just transition and agency for the Global South. Dr Kharal also proposed the formation of regional task forces led by think-tanks such as IRS.

Secretary General International Parliamentarians Congress (IPC) Senator Sitara Ayaz urged regional cooperation on shared environmental risks like glacier melt, smog, and heatwaves and stressed the need to sensitise parliamentarians and build governance frameworks that reflect the realities of a warming, fragmented world.

IRS President Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, while, reflecting on recent extreme weather in Islamabad, warned that finite resources and escalating conflict were converging dangerously.

Dr Khalid Mehmood Shafi, Director Environmental Security ISSRA-NDU, described climate change as a security threat, emphasising the role of militaries in adaptation and the urgency of including military emissions in global datasets.

Abdulhadi Achakzai, founder/CEO Environment Protection Training and Development Organisation (EPTDO), Afghanistan, highlighted Afghanistan’s rising climate vulnerability from droughts to flash floods and widespread water scarcity.

Manoj Kumar Jain, renewable energy and development specialist, India, discussed how basic resources such as land, air and water are becoming flashpoints, and advocated for energy transition and effective resource governance to prevent green conflict.

Faheem Sardar, economic security adviser, analysed the geopolitical dimensions of climate finance, emphasising Pakistan’s need for strategic clarity and practical, smart negotiations given its wealth of mineral resources.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2025