Ambassador Blome praises ‘Recharge Pakistan’ as a representation of unified climate action.

ISLAMABAD: Ambassador Blome, Prime Minister Kakar, Federal Minister of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Ahmad Irfan Aslam, Coca Cola Foundation Vice President Saadia Madsbjerg, and World Wildlife Fund International President Dr. Adil Najam.

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon, and Assalaam Alaikum!

I am thrilled to participate in the commemoration of the launch of Recharge Pakistan. This groundbreaking seven-year, $77.8 million partnership involves collaboration among our governments, the Green Climate Fund, the Coca-Cola Foundation, and the World Wildlife Fund.

Over the past two decades, Pakistan has consistently ranked among the top 10 most vulnerable countries on the Climate Risk Index. Presently, we find ourselves in a pivotal decade, requiring urgent action to adapt to climate change.

The United States and Pakistan have identified water resilience, water governance, and water productivity as pivotal areas for Pakistan to fortify its climate resilience through our “Green Alliance” framework.

Recharge Pakistan supports and propels these objectives by transforming Pakistan’s strategies for flood mitigation and water resource management. It aims to steer Pakistan toward ecosystem-based adaptation and green infrastructure. Importantly, it places communities at the forefront of climate and resource management decision-making.

The project’s envisioned outcomes are ambitious and far-reaching:

It aims to enhance Pakistan’s water resource capacity and amplify agricultural output.

It endeavors to assist rural economies in adapting to climate risks and enhancing sustainability.

The initiative focuses on rehabilitating degraded watersheds and fostering resilience in areas most impacted by the 2022 floods.

It strives to enhance livelihoods by mitigating and reducing losses resulting from the country’s cycle of droughts and floods.

Collectively, the program’s interventions are poised to directly benefit almost 700,000 Pakistanis and indirectly impact over 7 million more through project activities spanning three provinces: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan.

The United States and Pakistan share a long-standing history of collaborating to address development and humanitarian challenges. Just as the Green Revolution enhanced the quality of life for Pakistanis from the 1960s onwards, today, we are strategically investing in clean energy, water, and agriculture to better equip Pakistan for the future through the U.S.-Pakistan “Green Alliance” framework.

We are installing modern generators and refurbishing hydroelectric power plants to prevent severe water shortages, alleviate the adverse effects of floods, and expand agricultural productivity. Additionally, we are enhancing the capacity of the electric grid to offer affordable rates and provide reliable, efficient, clean energy to over 50 million people.

Our efforts include introducing farmers to new crop varieties, innovative planting methods, efficient fertilizer use, and advanced irrigation technology. These initiatives signify investments in Pakistan’s populace and its future.

The climate crisis affects us all, necessitating everyone’s involvement in safeguarding communities from its severe impacts. Recharge Pakistan embodies this ethos, uniting diverse stakeholders to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to the country’s climate risks.

In conclusion, I extend gratitude to Caretaker Prime Minister Kakar, our partners in Recharge Pakistan, and all individuals contributing to this significant initiative. This work is inspirational and reflects the pinnacle of what our nations can accomplish when collaborating harmoniously.