ISLAMABAD, Feb 17 (APP):A high-level stakeholder dialogue in Islamabad has called for stronger coordination between climate action, nutrition and food security policies to address growing environmental and public health challenges in Pakistan. The dialogue, titled “From Policy to Practice – Advancing Integrated Climate, Nutrition and Food Security Action in Pakistan,” was organised by the Pakistan Food System Transformation Secretariat (PFSTS), housed at the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), in collaboration …
Stakeholder dialogue urges integrated climate, nutrition & food security action in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Feb 17 (APP):A high-level stakeholder dialogue in Islamabad has called for stronger coordination between climate action, nutrition and food security policies to address growing environmental and public health challenges in Pakistan.
The dialogue, titled “From Policy to Practice – Advancing Integrated Climate, Nutrition and Food Security Action in Pakistan,” was organised by the Pakistan Food System Transformation Secretariat (PFSTS), housed at the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).
The event brought together representatives from government ministries, development partners, academia and technical experts.
Participants noted that Pakistan remains among the countries most vulnerable to climate change, facing recurring floods, droughts and extreme weather events that disrupt food systems and worsen malnutrition.
Annual disaster-related losses are estimated at around $2 billion, with floods accounting for the majority.
Opening the session, PFSTS Secretary Dr Ghulam Sadiq Afridi stressed the need to move beyond policy silos toward coordinated implementation mechanisms, adding that national food systems transformation efforts must align with climate resilience and improved nutrition outcomes.
GAIN Pakistan Country Director Farrah Naz highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration and evidence-based dialogue to ensure climate initiatives deliver tangible gains in nutrition and food security.
Additional remarks were delivered by representatives of development partners, including the Asian Development Bank, while experts provided a global overview of the Initiative on Climate Action and Nutrition (I-CAN), emphasising the need to align climate commitments with nutrition goals.
Policy specialists noted that while national frameworks addressing climate change, nutrition and food security exist, stronger coordination, financing mechanisms and accountability structures are needed for effective implementation.
A panel discussion involving senior officials explored ways to improve policy coherence, clarify institutional responsibilities and mobilise innovative financing for climate-resilient nutrition initiatives.
Government representatives, including officials from provincial environmental agencies and development programmes, reiterated their commitment to advancing integrated approaches at both national and provincial levels.
The dialogue concluded with consensus on key priorities, including addressing implementation gaps, promoting innovative financing mechanisms, clarifying cross-sectoral roles and advancing coordinated action under initiatives such as I-CAN to strengthen climate-resilient food systems and improve nutrition outcomes for vulnerable populations.
