The two-day COP29 summit will see world leaders commit to stronger climate actions, with Pakistan emphasising the need for equitable solutions to tackle climate challenges

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is preparing to attend the World Leaders Climate Action Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Tuesday, as part of the 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29). The summit, set to run for two days, will bring together global leaders to present their national climate action plans, reaffirming their commitment to the Paris Agreement and the urgent need for climate action.

Azerbaijan, the host country, will be the focal point of discussions around climate change, and PM Shehbaz Sharif is expected to take the opportunity to call for “climate solidarity and justice.” He will highlight Pakistan’s determination to pursue equitable solutions, ensuring that vulnerable nations are not left behind as they grapple with the devastating impacts of climate change.

As one of the world’s top 10 most climate-vulnerable countries, Pakistan has already been facing the brunt of extreme weather events, including severe flooding, heatwaves, and glacial lake outburst floods. In 2022, catastrophic flooding displaced 33 million people and caused damages estimated at $30 billion. In June 2024, Pakistan endured record-breaking temperatures, further exacerbating the strain on its health system and agricultural sector. At COP29, Pakistan will emphasise the urgent need for increased international climate finance to support adaptation and resilience efforts.

The event will also feature a joint summit focused on methane and other non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gases, co-hosted by the United States and China. The discussions at COP29 are expected to explore how nations can collaborate to address climate change more effectively, with a particular focus on enhancing global commitments to climate finance.

Pakistan’s delegation, led by PM Sharif, will push for stronger global commitments, particularly to provide financial resources to developing nations to combat climate change and implement adaptation strategies. The Ministry of Climate Change has stated that the time for bold action is now, as the country continues to face unprecedented climate impacts.

For Pakistan, the summit offers a critical platform to raise the alarm about the escalating climate crisis and to press for greater support from the international community. The country has long been at the forefront of advocating for climate justice, recognising the disproportionate burden borne by nations that contribute the least to global emissions.

As PM Shehbaz Sharif heads to Baku, his participation at COP29 underscores Pakistan’s dedication to confronting the climate crisis head-on, while also calling for equitable solutions that ensure all nations, particularly those in the global south, receive the support they need to cope with the harsh realities of climate change.