Pakistan Can Become Highly Water-Stressed Country By 2040 - Minister (PHOTO)

(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 14. Pakistan can face a high-level water deficit by 2040, the country's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said at a panel session themed "Addressing Glacial Melting in Central and West Asia through Glaciers to Farms (G2F): Climate Change and Regional Cooperation" in Baku today, Trend reports.

He asserts that this can profoundly impact the agricultural sector, which engages a substantial segment of the nation's labor force and plays a pivotal role in contributing approximately 24 percent to the GDP.

The rapid melting of glaciers will also impact global and regional food security, as Pakistan is one of the leading producers and exporters of rice in the world, he explained.

"As a country dependent on glaciers, Pakistan fully supports the G2F initiative. Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, despite contributing less than one percent to global emissions. We recognize the need to implement innovative and sustainable solutions to protect our water resources and agriculture, as Pakistan has one of the largest glacier areas in the world," the minister added.

He noted that the 2022 floods highlighted Pakistan's vulnerability to climate disasters: more than a third of the country was flooded, leading to widespread infrastructure damage, loss of livelihoods, and harm to agriculture.

"This catastrophic event underscored the urgent need for climate-resilient agricultural practices and the strengthening of water resources.

Pakistan is committed to enhancing water security through modern water management systems, promoting climate-smart agriculture, strengthening the resilience of local communities, and fostering regional cooperation to combat the impacts of climate change on water resources," he emphasized.

The minister also added that Pakistan is firmly committed to closely collaborating with the Asian Development Bank, the Green Climate Fund, and other international partners for the successful implementation of the G2F initiative. By taking decisive action, a more resilient and stable future for the country can be built.

MENAFN14112024000187011040ID1108885812