ISLAMABAD: At the conclusion of the second meeting of the US and Pakistan Climate and Environment Working Group, the US announced a $4.5 million program from its Department of Agriculture to improve fertilizer efficiency and effectiveness for Pakistani farmers, among other initiatives.
Senator Sherry Rehman, Minister for Climate Change, and Monica Medina, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, led their respective sides, according to a joint news release.
Climate and environmental officials and experts worked on issues such as climate change, water management, energy transition, air quality, climate-smart agriculture, biodiversity, and waste management, including plastics recycling.
The two sides discussed the consequences of the devastating floods in Pakistan in 2022, emphasizing the importance of preparing for the effects of climate change. The US backed Pakistan’s “Living Indus” initiative to restore the ecological health of the Indus River Basin. The two governments reaffirmed their commitment to addressing the climate crisis through collaboration on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Both governments agreed to deepen their bilateral relationship through the US-Pakistan “Green Alliance” framework. The “Green Alliance” would assist the two countries in addressing current and future climate, environmental, and economic needs, particularly through partnerships in agriculture, water, and clean energy.
In terms of agriculture, the two parties discussed the importance of adopting modern farming practices and innovative seed varieties to increase resilience to climate change. The governments identified technical help, governance, and water efficiency mechanisms as areas for collaboration in water management. They emphasized the significance of supporting nature-based solutions and strengthening community resilience to climate change.
Long History of US and Pakistan
The United States (US) and Pakistan also acknowledged their long history of collaboration to promote long-term economic growth. In the 1960s, for example, the United States backed Pakistan’s “Green Revolution” to boost agricultural crop yields and strengthen food security. They agreed to expand future cooperation in agriculture, water, and energy transition through the US-Pakistan “Green Alliance” framework.
The two governments renewed their commitment to collaborate through the Climate and Environment Working Group. The United States announced new programs in Pakistan, including one to improve fertilizer efficiency and effectiveness for Pakistani farmers. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced new climate-smart agriculture and climate finance initiatives in Pakistan.
To improve Pakistan’s flood forecasting and disaster response capabilities, the US Army Corps of Engineers will begin sharing weather data on glacial melt with the Ministry of Climate Change and other local stakeholders. Pakistan informed the US of the approval of its new National Clean Air Policy and described its recent waste management actions, including those involving plastics. The two parties also agreed to work together to ensure a successful year as co-chairs of the Green Climate Fund Board in 2023.
