Pakistan joins mangrove conservation effort

Cabinet approves country's ascension to IMC within Ramsar Convention framework

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan has decided to join the International Mangrove Centre (IMC) aimed at promoting joint actions and inter-regional collaboration for mangrove conservation in line with an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

Sources told The Express Tribune that the federal cabinet in a recent meeting had given the go-ahead to joining the IMC after receiving a briefing on the matter. The cabinet was informed that Pakistan was a signatory to the intergovernmental treaty called the 'Ramsar Convention on Wetlands'.

The IMC is regional initiative within the framework of the Ramsar Convention, introduced by China during the 14th meeting of the conference of parties (CoP) to the convention held simultaneously in Geneva and Wuhan in November 2022.

The IMC, an independent, non-profit intergovernmental organization, aims to facilitate joint actions for mangrove conservation.

Several countries, including Pakistan, supported China's resolution. The IMC aims to promote joint actions and inter-regional collaboration for mangrove conservation. It will operate as an independent, non-profit intergovernmental organisation.

The cabinet considered and approved the summary for joining the IMC, submitted by the Climate Change Division. Earlier, the foreign minister raised no objections from a political standpoint, while the finance division also had no objections if financial liabilities were borne by the climate change ministry.