Saudi Gazette Report

GENEVA — Saudi Arabia affirmed that any proposals related to climate change must be addressed within the framework of the United Nations Climate Change Agreement and the Paris Agreement.

The Kingdom also reiterated its solidarity and standing by the people and government of Pakistan in overcoming the effects of the devastating floods that resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and massive damage to properties and infrastructure.

This was stated by Ambassador Abdul Mohsen bin Majed, permanent representative of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations.

He was addressing a high-level partners’ conference, co-hosted by the United Nations and the government of Pakistan, in Geneva on Monday to discuss Pakistan’s financial needs and strategy for a resilient recovery.

Abdul Mohsen said that the humanitarian crisis in Pakistan shows that the developing countries are the worst victims of disasters resulting from the effects of climate change.

“This emphasizes the importance of countries to assume their responsibilities in accordance with the principles, mechanisms and commitments agreed upon within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.

“The Kingdom confirms in this context that any proposal related to climate change must be addressed within the framework of the aforementioned agreements,” he said.

Abdul Mohsen urged the international community to contribute to the funding for the reconstruction of the flood-hit regions of Pakistan.

He stressed the Kingdom’s keenness to stand by Pakistan and its people since the beginning of this humanitarian disaster, based on the principles and close ties of brotherhood that bind the governments and people of both countries at all levels and fields.

The Saudi diplomat also referred to the Kingdom’s initiatives in the humanitarian and relief field through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) and its launch of an air bridge to send urgent humanitarian aid to the Pakistani people, in addition to land convoys of relief trucks.

“The Kingdom also launched a popular campaign to deliver relief supplies to those affected by floods in Pakistan, of this the total donations have so far exceeded SR153 million, based on the relief and humanitarian values of Saudi Arabia, and its efforts to alleviate the suffering of the people affected by crises and extend a helping hand to the people of Pakistan,” he said.

Abdul Mohsen said that this comes in addition to the Kingdom’s historical economic and development support for Pakistan, in terms of deposits, loans and implementing huge development projects, the latest of which is the extension of the duration of the deposit provided to the Central Bank of Pakistan, amounting to $3 billion.

This is in addition to other development projects that have been implemented by the Saudi Fund for Development, as directed Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman by investing $1billion in Pakistan, as an affirmation of the Kingdom's position in support of the economic development of Pakistan and its people.

It is noteworthy that donors at the Geneva international conference have pledged to give more than $9 billion to help rebuild Pakistan following last year’s devastating floods. Pakistan hosted the event in Geneva on Monday with the United Nations as it seeks international assistance to cover around half of a total $16.3 billion recovery bill.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres kicked off the one-day conference, attended by officials from nearly 40 other countries as well as private donors and international financial institutions.

The unprecedented floods caused by melting glaciers and record monsoon rains last year affected more than 33 million Pakistanis, killing more than 1,700 people and pushing about nine million others into poverty, according to the UN.

Thousands of people are still living in open areas, tents and makeshift homes in Sindh and Balochistan, the two worst-hit provinces.