Pakistan to host World Environment Day, says SAPM Amin Aslam

ISLAMABAD   –  Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam on Monday said Pakistan has been selected as a host country for hosting the World Environment Day in recognition of demonstrating global leadership in environmental conservation and protection through various policies and programmes being implemented in the country.

Malik Amin emphasised, “It is really heartening to see how the world is recognising Pakistan’s leadership in environment, climate change arenas and efforts launched for sustainable development, environmental conservation and climate resilience through various initiatives including Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Clean Green Pakistan Programme, Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme (TBTTP), Protected Areas Initiatives, Ban on Single Use Plastic Bags, Recharge Programme, and Urban Resilient Human Settlement Project.”

Marked every year on June 5, this year the global environment day will observed under the theme of ‘Ecosystem Restoration’ with heightened focus on resetting relation with nature and promotion of initiatives for nature-based solutions.  It is the United Nations flagship day for promoting worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Over the years, it has grown to be the largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people across the world. 

The observance of the environment day will coincide with the marking of the formal launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030.  The UN Decade runs from 2021 through 2030, which is also the deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals and the timeline scientists have identified as the last chance to prevent catastrophic climate change.

Making the announcement on the margins of the virtual 5th UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) held here on February 22 in Nairboi, Kenya, the Prime Minister’s aide Malik Amin Aslam also joined the UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen to acknowledge the urgency of preventing, halting and reversing the degradation of ecosystems worldwide, Climate Change Ministry’s Media Spokesperson Muhammad Saleem told. 

The official further said that Malik Amin Aslam also informed the UNEA session that the incumbent government, under the Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision for Clean Green and climate-resilient Pakistan, plans to expand and restore the country’s forests through a ‘10 Billion Tree Tsunami’ spread over five years.

The initiative includes efforts for restoring mangroves and forests as well as planting trees in urban settings including schools, colleges, public parks and green belts. 

Malik Amin Aslam also informed the UNEA session participants during his address that Pakistan has launched Eco-System Restoration Fund for supporting nature based solution to climate change, facilitating transition towards environmentally resilient ecologically targeted initiatives covering afforestation, biodiversity conservation, enabling and enhancing.  Recently, Prime Minister of Pakistan has launched “Protected Area Initiative” to develop 15 model protected areas across country to conserve over 7300. sq km of land area as well as green stimulus with creation of over 5,500 green jobs, the PM’s aide added. 

“The Government of Pakistan is fully committed to playing a leadership role in addressing the issue of climate change, including through the “10 Billion Trees Tsunami” initiative, which will restore and enhance over 1 million hectares of forest across the country,” said Malik Amin Aslam, Adviser to the Pakistani Prime Minister and Minister of Climate Change. “We are honoured to host this year’s World Environment Day and lend our support to global restoration efforts,” said Malik Amin Aslam.