Murree (Web Desk): Pakistan and Switzerland on Saturday signed a Memordandum of Understanding (MoU) in Bhurban for promotion of cooperation in the field of disaster management.
The MoU was signed by the visiting Foreign Minister of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis and Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik.
Addressing the MoU signing ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan looks forward to cooperation from Switzerland in getting advance warning system and other facets which secures Pakistan as much as possible from the natural disasters.
He pointed out that Pakistan has no contributions to climate change.
Describing his negotiations with the Swiss foreign minister as productive and fruitful, he said Pakistan also desires to promote cooperation with Switzerland in diverse areas including tourism and education.
PM Shehbaz said he is encouraged by the statement of Swiss foreign minister that Switzerland will play a friendly and catalyst role to promote peace discussions in the region.
He said Pakistan will encourage Switzerland to play a productive role because his country wants to live in peace and promote prosperity and progress.
PM Shehbaz said that Pakistan liked to promote progress, prosperity, eradicate unemployment, poverty, enhance education, IT, industry, women empowerment and agriculture for the well-being of the people.
The other side, he said, should also realize it. Pakistan could not afford tension in the region nor would like to waste its resources, they must commit their resources to the development of the country, he stressed.
The prime minister reiterated that there could be no lasting peace in this part of the world till their issues including Kashmir were resolved.
In his remarks on the occasion, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said disaster risk management goes beyond borders and nationalities. He said it is a global responsibility that requires unity and collective action.
He said Pakistan and Switzerland will work hand in hand to raise awareness and protect the lives and livelihoods of our peoples.
"MoU signed today is a vital step in strengthening our collaborative efforts against climate change," Mr Ignazio Cassis said.
The Swiss FM said Pakistan is a country with rich cultural heritage and beautiful landscape but unfortunately it has been grappling with the devastating effects of natural disasters.
He said it is a stark reminder of the urgent need for international cooperation to mitigate and manage the risks associated with catastrophes. He said his country stands ready to support Pakistan in this regard.
The Swiss foreign minister said the MoU shows our shared determination to strengthen our bilateral relationship and to put our resources, knowledge and experiences in disaster risk management.
He further highlighted the joint efforts between the two countries during the years 2010 and 2022 when the devastating floods struck Pakistan, adding the Swiss government swiftly provided emergency aid and supported the affected people.
The foreign minister further said that they were ready to embark on the new challenges in the field of disaster management which went beyond the borders and stressed that these required global unity and collateral efforts.