Musadik Malik urges unified global action
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Federal Minister for Climate Change & Environmental Coordination Musadik Malik reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to tackling global water challenges through glacier preservation and climate-resilient development, according to a press statement issued on Saturday.
In his message on World Water Day, themed "Glacier Preservation," Malik highlighted the critical role of glaciers in sustaining freshwater supplies and regulating Earth's climate, aligning with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which aims to ensure water and sanitation for all by 2030.
World Water Day, observed annually on March 22, raises awareness of the global water crisis affecting 2.2 billion people without access to safe water. Established in 1993, it advocates for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
"Glaciers are the lifeblood of our planet, and their preservation is not just an environmental imperative but a survival strategy for humanity," the minister stated. "Pakistan, home to the world's second-largest glacial system outside the polar regions, recognizes the urgency of safeguarding these natural water towers against climate change." Pakistan has been at the forefront of climate resilience efforts, including the Living Indus Basin Restoration Plan, developed in collaboration with the UN, and the Green Pakistan Upscaling Programme, which focuses on enhancing forest cover and mitigating climate risks. "Our updated Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement reflect our resolve to transition toward a climate-resilient economy," Malik noted.
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