Islamabad (Web Desk): World Environment Day is being observed today (Wednesday) across the globe including Pakistan.
This year, the theme of the day is "Land restoration, stopping desertification and building drought resilience".
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to protect environment and urged the countrymen to join the global movement to restore their land, build drought resilience and combat desertification, the Radio Pakistan reported.
In his message on World Environment Day, President Zardari reaffirmed the commitment to protect the environment to ensure a healthier, safer, and more resilient planet for our future generations.
He stressed the need to overcome adverse impacts of climate change pioneering innovative solutions and fostering international partnerships.
The president said that this day highlights our shared responsibility to protect our environment for future generations.
“Pakistan's unwavering resolve to tackle environmental challenges is showcased through initiatives like the Green Pakistan Programme, which has made significant strides in afforestation and ecosystem restoration,” President Zardari said.
In his message on the World Environment Day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan's resolve to combat environmental challenges and contribute to global efforts towards sustainability.
He said initiatives such as the Green Pakistan Programme, Living Indus Initiative, and National Adaptation Plan, underscore Pakistan's commitment to reforestation and ecosystem restoration, tackling issues of deforestation and biodiversity loss head-on.
The prime minister recalled Pakistan’s climate diplomacy efforts during COP27, particularly in establishing a Loss and Damage Fund were recognized widely and viewed positively by international experts.
“On the domestic front, Pakistan is actively working on developing sustainable long-term low-carbon development strategies,” PM Shehbaz said, adding that the robust afforestation programmes are being implemented while initiatives like the Recharge Pakistan and Sustainable Land Management Programme (SLMP) demonstrate Pakistan's dedication to promoting sustainable agriculture practices and combating land degradation.
World Environment Day puts a global spotlight on the pressing environmental challenges of our times.
Led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and held annually on 5th June since 1973, World Environment Day is the largest global platform for environmental public outreach and is celebrated by millions of people across the world.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the global host of this year’s edition.