PRESS RELEASE

Islamabad: 1st February 2023

Meeting of Minister for Economic Affairs with Executive Director United Nations Enviornment Program

Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Ms Inger Andersen called on Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq at the Ministry of Economic Affairs today. Secretary EAD and other senior officers from Economic Affairs Division attended the meeting.
Minister for Economic Affairs welcomed Ms Inger Andersen and commended the role of the United Nations Environment Program in developing and delivering solutions on critical issues of climate change, management of marine and terrestrial ecosystems and green economic development across the globe.
Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq highlighted the recent devastations caused by floods in Pakistan due to the climate crisis. He also shared that Pakistan has to undertake the enormous task of reconstruction and rehabilitation of flood-affected areas. The Federal Minister further shared that a great deal of arable land is still under water due to floods in Sindh which would negatively impact the aggregate agricultural productivity.
Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program Ms Inger Andersen appreciated the role of Pakistan in levelling utmost efforts for climate conservation on a global level. She also shared that the UNEP is fully cognizant of the massive annihilation caused by the 2022 floods in Pakistan.  Furthermore, she emphasized that UNEP aims at providing maximum support to Pakistan by opening a local office which would allow them to work closely with the federal and provincial governments.
In conclusion, the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs thanked the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program Ms. Inger Andersen. The Federal Minister apprised Ms. Inger Andersen of the fact that Pakistan is a willing partner for climate sustainability and further assured her of full support and cooperation in this regard.