By: ABID SIDDIQUE CHAUDHRY
The World Ambassador
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Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, today addressed the Conference on Sustainable Development and Climate Resilience in Balochistan, organized by the Government of Balochistan at the Marriott Hotel, Islamabad.
In her keynote remarks, Ms. Romina highlighted Pakistan’s disproportionate vulnerability to climate change despite contributing less than one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. She emphasized that Balochistan — covering nearly 44 percent of Pakistan’s landmass and possessing the largest share of the country’s coastline — stands at both the frontline of climate impact and the forefront of climate solutions.
“Climate change is no longer a distant future threat for us — it is a present-day emergency. Pakistan is paying the price for emissions it did not produce. Yet, what is remarkable is the resolve of Balochistan to lead with vision, resilience, and innovation,” Ms. Romina stated.
She commended Chief Minister Balochistan, Mr. Sarfaraz Bugti, for placing climate action at the heart of provincial governance, and praised Chief Secretary Mr. Shakeel Qadir Khan and his administration for proactively engaging with international financing institutions and aligning Balochistan with modern climate finance mechanisms, despite complex security and development challenges.
Ms. Romina underlined the critical importance of Climate Finance, noting that access to grant-based and concessional funding is essential to strengthen climate adaptation, support resilient infrastructure, enhance water security, and unlock sustainable livelihoods. She also called for expanded Public-Private Partnerships to reduce pressure on public finances, foster innovation, and accelerate implementation of green projects across the province.
Special emphasis was placed on Balochistan’s coastal and marine ecosystems, where restoration of mangroves and protection of marine biodiversity can serve as nature-based solutions, strengthening coastal resilience, absorbing carbon emissions, and creating sustainable economic opportunities through blue carbon initiatives and eco-tourism.
Recognizing the significance of leadership and inter-governmental coordination, Ms. Romina stated:
“Political will is an undervalued asset, yet it is the most essential ingredient in climate governance. Coordination between federal and provincial governments, donors, and communities is what transforms policies into meaningful action.”
She reaffirmed the Government of Pakistan’s strong commitment under the leadership of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, to intensify both mitigation and adaptation efforts, strengthen international climate diplomacy, and ensure that vulnerable regions like Balochistan receive equitable access to global resources and technology.
The conference brought together senior government officials, ambassadors, representatives of the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, United Nations agencies, European Union, GIZ, and private-sector leaders to explore collaborative pathways for climate resilience, carbon markets, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and ecosystem protection in Balochistan.
Ms. Romina concluded by calling upon international partners, investors, and institutions to treat Balochistan as a priority destination for climate investment, stating that every dollar invested today will yield long-term dividends in regional stability, environmental security, and economic development.
“This is not just an environmental agenda. It is a peace, equity, and development agenda — for Balochistan, for Pakistan, and for the region,” she concluded.
