By Wasif Ali Khan TWA ______ Statement of Prime Minister of Pakistan on Wold Environment Day 2024. “The people and Government of Pakistan join the global community in recognizing our shared responsibility to protect our planet and fight climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Climate change knows no borders. From wildfires, to flooding, and fast melting glaciers, Pakistan is facing its effects firsthand. The theme of this year’s World Environment Day – ‘land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience,' – reminds us of the humongous challenge that confronts us in terms of the billions of hectares of land that is being degraded, affecting almost half of the world’s population and threatening half of global GDP. Rural communities, smallholding farmers and the extremely poor are hit the hardest. Pakistan stands firm in its resolve to combat environmental challenges and stands committed for contributing to global efforts towards sustainability. Initiatives such as the Green Pakistan Programme, Living Indus Initiative, and National Adaptation Plan, underscore our commitment to reforestation and ecosystem restoration, tackling issues of deforestation and biodiversity loss head-on. Pakistan’s climate diplomacy efforts during COP27, particularly in establishing a Loss and Damage Fund were recognized widely and viewed positively by international experts. On the domestic front, Pakistan is actively working on developing sustainable long-term low-carbon development strategies with assistance from GIZ, Pathways 2050 platform, UNDP, and the World Bank. Additionally, robust afforestation programs are being implemented.Initiatives like the Recharge Pakistan, GLOF, and Sustainable Land Management Program (SLMP) demonstrate Pakistan's dedication to promoting sustainable agriculture practices and combating land degradation. Despite facing challenges such as land degradation, desertification, and water scarcity, Pakistan remains steadfast in its resolve and efforts to address these issues through innovative solutions and collaborative partnerships. On this World Environment Day, I encourage all our countrymen to join the global movement to restore our lands, build drought resilience and combat desertification and be part of #GenerationRestoration to ensure a better future for all.”