Pakistan and Qatar have agreed to deepen their partnership across environmental issues, investment, and sustainable development, following high-level talks between Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, and Qatar’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Ali Mubarak Ali Essa Al-Khater. The two leaders discussed ways to expand cooperation, ahead of a major global summit in Geneva focused on negotiating a binding treaty to combat plastic pollution.
During the meeting, Dr. Malik emphasized the challenges developing countries face in global environmental negotiations, stressing the need for such agreements to be affordable, accessible, and sustainable for nations like Pakistan. He argued that international treaties should reflect economic realities and prioritize the well-being and livelihoods of citizens in less developed countries.
One of the centerpieces of Pakistan’s climate action agenda discussed was the upcoming Green Startups Initiative. Dr. Malik shared details of the program, which aims to empower young entrepreneurs to launch environmentally conscious businesses, connect them with international investors, and foster new economic opportunities. The initiative, which is part of a broader national strategy for sustainable development, is also being promoted internationally through engagement with foreign governments and multilateral organizations.
Ambassador Al-Khater praised Pakistan’s support during the FIFA World Cup 2022 and reiterated Qatar’s commitment to working closely with Pakistan, especially in areas such as climate action, expanded trade, and investment. He acknowledged the strong ties between the two nations and expressed a desire to see these links grow further.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to greater collaboration in environmental sustainability, economic partnerships, and building stronger people-to-people connections. Senior officials from Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also in attendance.
