PM Imran, Prince Charles exchange views on COP-26

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday held a telephonic conversation with Prince of Wales Charles and exchanged views on the forthcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-26).

The event is scheduled to be held from October 31 to November 12 this year in Glasgow, United Kingdom.

Prime Minister Imran Khan lauded UK’s leading role in COP-26 as its co-president and hoped that the summit would help translate political commitments into concrete actions, and would put in place ambitious, practical and effective climate action.

The premier underscored that every nation must play its due role in combating climate change, in accordance with the principles of equity and ‘common but differentiated responsibilities.

’Highlighting Pakistan’s full commitment to play its due role in addressing the global environmental challenges including climate change, the prime minister informed the prince of Wales about Pakistan’s recent submission of its revised nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement, with an ambitious target of 50% overall reduction of projected Green House Gases emissions by 2030.

He also briefed the prince of Wales about Pakistan’s climate change agenda consisting of landmark initiatives including the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Initiative, Protected Areas Initiative, Recharge Pakistan Initiative, and Electric Vehicles and Alternative and Renewable Energy Policies.

In the regional context, the prime minister underscored Pakistan’s interest in a stable and peaceful Afghanistan.

He stressed the need to provide urgently needed humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan to avert the economic meltdown and sufferings of common people, especially at the outset of the winter season.

The Prince of Wales conveyed gratitude on the behalf of the British government for Pakistan’s support and facilitation in evacuating its nationals and others from Afghanistan after Taliban takeover.