Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah will represent Pakistan at the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Scheduled to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on November 16, 2024, this global summit brings together international leaders to discuss urgent climate issues and collective actions. CM Shah’s participation at COP29 is expected to highlight Sindh’s ongoing commitment to climate adaptation, aligning the province’s vision with global climate goals. His attendance underlines Pakistan’s proactive stance in international climate conversations.
In Baku, CM Murad will specifically emphasize Sindh’s initiatives aimed at climate resilience and adaptation. COP29, the UN’s premier climate summit, is focusing this year on setting new climate finance targets, intensifying global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhancing resource allocations to boost resilience against climate impacts. The conference presents a critical platform for Pakistan to demonstrate its regional climate efforts, with Sindh’s climate strategies at the forefront. CM Shah’s agenda includes sharing Sindh’s progress in adaptive policies that contribute to broader climate goals.
One of the significant highlights of CM Shah’s presence at COP29 will be his keynote address on the Sindh People’s Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF) initiative, a major climate-resilient housing project aimed at supporting communities affected by climate-related disasters. This ambitious project, initiated after the 2022 floods, involves the construction of 2.1 million homes for displaced families, an initiative unprecedented in scope and scale globally. The SPHF project reflects Sindh’s leadership in adaptive housing and reconstruction, setting a new standard for climate-responsive development.
CM Shah’s schedule also includes high-level meetings with international donors and officials to strengthen partnerships for Pakistan’s climate goals. These interactions are intended to foster collaborations that will enhance support for Sindh’s climate initiatives. Additionally, CM Murad is set to participate in a key session with UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Kitty van der Heijden, focusing on integrating children’s needs within Pakistan’s climate strategies. This collaboration underscores the importance of inclusive approaches in climate adaptation, ensuring that vulnerable groups are not overlooked.
COP29 runs from November 11 to 22, 2024, in Baku, and offers leaders from across the globe an opportunity to intensify efforts toward a sustainable future. CM Murad’s participation places Sindh’s climate vision on a global platform, presenting both challenges and achievements in climate resilience. The conference is also expected to shed light on Sindh’s Delta Blue Carbon Project, a crucial initiative to protect the Indus Delta’s mangrove forests, which play a vital role in biodiversity conservation and carbon capture.
