ISLAMABAD:
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has emphasised the critical need to build strong partnerships with global organisations to safeguard marine ecosystems and effectively address escalating environmental challenges along Pakistan’s coastline.
He shared these views during a meeting with International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Country Representative Mahmood Akhtar Cheema. IUCN is a global organisation working for the conservation of nature and sustainable use of natural resources.
The discussion focused on enhancing collaboration to conserve Pakistan’s marine and coastal biodiversity while promoting sustainable development in the maritime sector.
The maritime minister highlighted the severe pressure being exerted on coastal areas by climate change and stressed the urgent need for mobilising climate finance to fund biodiversity conservation projects.
He stated that such efforts were essential not only for fulfilling Pakistan’s international environmental commitments but also for strengthening resilience in coastal communities vulnerable to climate impacts.
Junaid Anwar requested IUCN’s technical support for implementing the Astola Island Management Plan and acknowledged the organisation’s role in refining the national maritime policy.
