World Environment Day 2021: Parliamentarians Weigh in on Tackling the Climate Crisis

09 June, 2021

Panelists at Tackling the Climate Crisis: Transitioning to a Green Economy in Pakistan, in the center Ms. Inger Andersen, Executive Director, UN Environment [UNEP]

On June 5, 2021, AirQualityAsia in cooperation with the SDGs Secretariat, National Assembly of Pakistan held a Parliamentary webinar titled “Tackling the Climate Crisis: Transitioning to a Global Green Economy.”

Hosts: SW-AQA and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Secretariat of the National Assembly of Pakistan Location: Webinar, Islamabad, Pakistan

The meeting was inaugurated by Hon. Syed Naveed Qamar, MNA, Chair, Standing Committee on Commerce, Board member, AQA and Hon. Riaz Fatyana, MNA, Convener, National Parliamentary Taskforce on SDGs Taskforce, Chair, National Group, AQA. Opening remarks were given by Hon. Munaza Hassan, MNA Chair Climate Change Committee and Hon. Sen. Sherry Rehman, Chair, Climate Change Caucus followed by presentation by Ms. Shazia Z. Rafi, President, AQA. Key-note Addresses were given by Ms. Inger Andersen, Executive Director, UN Environment [UNEP] and Hon. Malik Amin Aslam, Minister for Climate Change/SAPM. Closing remarks were by Hon. Shazia Atta Marri, MNA and Hon. Shandana Gulzar Khan, MNA with Vote of Thanks by Hon. Mathew J. Nolan, Treasurer, AQA.

Expert presentations were given by Dr. Joy Aeree Kim, UN Environment, Dr. Abid Suleri, Executive Director, Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Mr. Nathan Rive, Asian Development Bank, Mr. Ahmed Imran Aslam, the World Bank and Rafay Alam, Esq. Senior Advisor, AQA. The webinar was attended by key members of the National Parliamentary Taskforce on SDGs who shared their expert opinions and insightful inputs.

The webinar was a side event alongside the World Environment Day 2021 hosted by the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and featured Parliamentarians from across legislative committees. The session focused on how Green Economy bills are key opportunities for addressing climate change, mitigating its effects, and preserving the environment while building our economies.