(ISLAMABAD) April 21, 2025
Secretary General of the International Parliamentarians’ Congress (IPC), (Senator) Ms. Sitara Ayaz chaired the first of the series of Pre COP 30 seminars at the Institute of the Regional Studies, Islamabad.
Under the theme “Strengthening Regional Climate Resilience” the event marked a key step in the build-up to COP30 Climate Summit, being held in Belém Brasil on November 6th and 7th 2025,
Today’s event focused on the critical intersection of climate change, resource scarcity, and conflict in the region.
State Minister of State for Climate Change, Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal, was the Guest of Honour, and (Senator) Ms. Sitara Ayaz, Secretary General of IPC, was the Chair of the session.
The seminar brought together experts, policymakers, and thought leaders from across the region to address the growing climate security risks emerging from conflicts, environmental degradation and resource scarcity.
(Senator) Ms. Sitara Ayaz, Secretary General of IPC, emphasized the urgent need for regional cooperation on shared environmental challenges. She underscored issues such as melting glaciers, heatwaves, and smog that transcend borders. She called for greater engagement of parliamentarians to ensure that respective national strategies reflect the realities of a rapidly witnessed global warming in an increasingly fragmented world.
“Climate has no borders,” she stated, highlighting the role of legislatures and subject experts in shaping effective responses to climate threats.
Minister of State for Climate Change, Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal, spoke on Pakistan’s climate diplomacy priorities, underlining key national initiatives such as the Carbon Market Policy 2024, National Adaptation Plan 2025, Green Taxonomy 2025, and innovative blended finance models. She called for climate justice, regional task forces led by think tanks like IRS, and a renewed focus on finance and agency for the Global South in the run-up to COP 30 Climate Summit.
Ambassador Johar Saleem, President of Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) reiterated the importance of institutional dialogue and stressed that effective resource distribution, governance, and conflict mitigation are essential in today’s climate landscape.
Distinguished speakers of this important seminar included Dr. Khalid Mahmood Shafi, Dr. Abdul Hadi Achakzai , Manoj Kumar Jain, Fahim Sardar, and Nadira Panjwani.
The International Parliamentarians Congress (IPC) is committed to contributing to the 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 30) through international parliamentary dialogue on climate _ temperature resilience, and related subjects under the climate canvas.
The legislative of respective countries shall play a significant role for policy makers.
The IPC Forum, currently represents legislators (Members of the Parliament) from 63 countries, and remains committed to engage with regional and global partners leading upto the COP 30 event being held this year.
