ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — Donors committed $10.7b to Pakistan economy at the International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan to help the country recover from last year’s devastating floods.
The conference was co-hosted by the government of Pakistan and the United Nations in Geneva.
The conclusion of the conference in Geneva was delivered by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, who said, “The message from the world is clear: the world will stand by people who go through any natural tragedies and would not leave them alone.”
The meeting, which was attended by representatives from about 40 nations as well as private donors and international financial institutions, is seen as a crucial test of who is responsible for paying for climate disasters as Islamabad looks for assistance in covering about half of a $16.3 billion recovery bill.
The conference recommended securing international aid and establishing long-term alliances to assist the nation in overcoming the difficulties posed by the disastrous floods of 2022.
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Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stood with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as they recited the plea for aiding the 33 million people who have been displaced by the nation’s biggest flood calamity.
Pakistan’s Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Framework (4RF), which outlined a multisectoral approach for rehabilitation and reconstruction in a climate-resilient and inclusive way, was mentioned by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his speech.
Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, declared that Paris was prepared to assist Pakistan in its discussions with financial institutions.
In a video address to the conference, Macron stated, “France will continue to offer knowledge and some financial support to the country.”
The post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA), according to the prime minister, was created with assistance from the UN, the WB Group, the ADB, and the EU. It “estimates flood damages to surpass $14.9 billion, economic losses over $15.2 billion, and reconstruction needs over $16.3 billion.”
He conveyed his sincere gratitude to Guterres for co-chairing the conference and for his ongoing assistance with the flood-affected Pakistani population.