ISLAMABAD, Feb 14 (APP):The Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination and UN-Habitat on Saturday discussed strategic measures to transform Pakistan’s cities into climate-resilient and sustainable engines of economic growth, with a renewed focus on developing an action-oriented National Urban Strategy.
According to ministry spokesperson Mohammad Saleem Shaikh, the discussion took place during a meeting between Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Musadik Masood Malik and a UN-Habitat delegation led by its Asia-Pacific Regional Director Kazuko Ishigaki.
The talks focused on strengthening cooperation in climate-resilient urban development, including sustainable housing, improved land management and upgrading informal settlements.
Both sides highlighted the urgency of preparing cities to withstand floods, droughts and heatwaves while ensuring long-term economic growth.
Ishigaki briefed the minister on UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan 2026-2029, which prioritises housing, land access and essential services while integrating climate adaptation and resilience.
She reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting Pakistan in addressing urban flooding, drought risks and other climate-related challenges facing rapidly expanding cities.
She also underlined the importance of Pakistan’s participation in the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF-13), scheduled to be held in Baku from May 17 to 22, 2026, noting it would provide an opportunity to showcase Pakistan’s urban resilience initiatives and engage with global partners and investors.
During the meeting, Malik highlighted Pakistan’s growing urban challenges, including rapid urbanisation, heat island effects, inadequate drainage and sewerage systems, water contamination, encroachments, housing shortages and weak enforcement of zoning regulations.
He observed that poor urban design and fragmented planning contributed significantly to these problems.
The minister stressed the need for a context-specific and implementable National Urban Strategy rather than a generic policy framework, emphasising coordinated planning and institutional reforms.
He said steps had already been taken to operationalise the ongoing National Urban Strategy project under the Adaptation Fund.
Officials said the engagement reflected Pakistan’s commitment to building climate-resilient, inclusive and economically vibrant cities through green infrastructure, innovation, investment and job creation.
Both sides also underscored the importance of stronger inter-organisational cooperation, knowledge-sharing and coordinated planning among federal, provincial and local governments, development partners and the private sector to advance integrated urban planning and sustainable infrastructure development nationwide.