By Abdul Samad Tariq ISLAMABAD, Jun 08 (APP):The Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC) on Monday called for urgent national action to protect Pakistan’s marine ecosystems from the growing impacts of climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss and unsustainable exploitation of natural resources. Marking World Oceans Day 2026, observed globally under the theme “Reimagine: Beyond the world we know, a new relationship with our ocean”, the ministry highlighted the …
Pakistan calls for urgent action to protect oceans from climate threats
By Abdul Samad Tariq
ISLAMABAD, Jun 08 (APP):The Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC) on Monday called for urgent national action to protect Pakistan’s marine ecosystems from the growing impacts of climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss and unsustainable exploitation of natural resources.
Marking World Oceans Day 2026, observed globally under the theme “Reimagine: Beyond the world we know, a new relationship with our ocean”, the ministry highlighted the critical role oceans play in regulating the climate, producing oxygen, sustaining biodiversity and supporting livelihoods.
In an exclusive talk with APP, the ministry warned that the degradation of marine ecosystems posed increasing risks not only to coastal communities but also to food security, economic stability and climate resilience.
Citing United Nations assessments, it noted that oceans generate at least half of the oxygen humans breathe, absorb nearly a quarter of global carbon dioxide emissions and help regulate weather systems worldwide. However, rising ocean temperatures, acidification, plastic pollution and overexploitation are placing marine ecosystems under severe stress.
The statement said around 90 per cent of large fish populations worldwide had been depleted, while nearly half of the world’s coral reefs had disappeared.
Pakistan’s 1,050-kilometre coastline and diverse marine ecosystems — including mangrove forests, fisheries and coastal wetlands — were becoming increasingly vulnerable to sea-level rise, marine pollution, coastal erosion, extreme weather events and warming seas, it added.
The ministry said these challenges directly threatened the livelihoods of millions of people dependent on fisheries, coastal resources and maritime trade.
“World Oceans Day is a reminder that oceans are not distant ecosystems; they are the foundation of human survival, climate stability and economic prosperity,” said Mohammad Saleem Shaikh, spokesperson for the ministry and a climate policy advocacy expert.
“For too long, humanity has treated the ocean as an inexhaustible resource. Today, we are being called upon to reimagine our relationship with the ocean — from passive beneficiaries of its generosity to active guardians of its future,” he told APP.
Saleem Shaikh said Pakistan remained committed to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity and was contributing to international efforts through the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).
“From the mangrove forests of the Indus Delta to the waters of the Arabian Sea, healthy oceans are essential for climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, food security and a thriving blue economy,” he said, adding that their protection required science-based policies, stronger enforcement, community stewardship and partnerships across society.
The ministry urged citizens, industries, educational institutions, fishermen, coastal communities and local governments to reduce plastic pollution, support conservation initiatives, participate in clean-up campaigns and adopt sustainable practices.
“Lines may exist on maps, but marine life moves freely across our one shared ocean. Protecting it is a shared responsibility and a national imperative,” Saleem Shaikh said.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to global ocean conservation efforts, the ministry called for greater public awareness, scientific research and collective action to ensure that the country’s marine ecosystems remained healthy, productive and resilient amid accelerating climate change.
