Pakistanmandatedtohostworld Environmentday
Pakistan, despite being the least contributor to global greenhouse gases emissions has been bearing the burden of erratic natural disasters and environmental degradation whereas its initiative to host World Environment Day was its recognition as an international leader in nature-based solution and eco-system restoration initiative. The country has been persistently among the top 10 countries facing adverse impacts of climate change in terms of recurring natural calamities and increased vulnerability due to climate change, said a global environmental watchdog German Watch. The Government of Pakistan has achieved promising milestones with regards to nature conservation, climate action and community development along with gender-inclusive strategies within its available limited resources providing equal opportunities to women of the most vulnerable areas facing environmental degradation. To showcase its nature-based solutions and novel ecosystem restoration, it had announced hosting World Environment Day 2021 in partnership with the United Nations. The UNEP approached Pakistan for hosting the UN Environment Day 2021 in recognition of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s speech during the highly ambitious coalition of Convention on Biodiversity and UN General Assembly. The UN agency offered the honour of considering Pakistan’s global recognition as international leader in nature-based solution and ecosystem restoration initiatives like Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Plantation Programme, and Protected Area Initiative. This year’s theme of World Environment Day will be ‘ecosystem restoration’ with focus on resetting our relationship with nature. It will also mark the formal launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021 – 2030. Hosting of “World Environment Day” in Pakistan will bring positive projections for the country providing an opportunity to highlight its commitment and achievement on a global scale to showcase its climate change and environmental protection activities.