Hurdles to country's progress won't be allowed: PM

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AFP
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Hurdles to country's progress won't be allowed: PM
Says greater onus on developed countries to tackle climate change issues; Pakistan to contribute to global efforts


PARIS: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday said that Pakistan would not let any hurdle come in the way of its development process.

In a brief chat with the media soon after his arrival here to attend the two-week 21st UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) being held in the French capital today (Monday), Nawaz said that the developed countries had greater responsibility in tackling climate change challenges but Pakistan was ready to contribute in global efforts.

"Though Pakistan has a minimum level of carbon emissions, we will contribute to the global efforts to tackle climate change issues," the prime minister said. He, however, added that the developed countries had greater responsibility in this respect.

"We will present our point of view before the world and will also listen to the point of view of other countries," he added.

The prime minister will deliver his speech at the leaders' event of the COP21 at Le Bourget, Paris, today.

The conference is scheduled to be attended and addressed by 147 world leaders, including United States President Barack Obama, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Earlier, the prime minister landed here at the Orly Airport alon gwith first lady Kalsoom Nawaz Sharif and his Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi. He was received by senior French officials, Pakistan’s Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid, Pakistan’s Ambassador to France Ghalib Iqbal and other senior officials of the embassy.

The prime minister, who in his address is expected to highlight Pakistan’s efforts in tackling climate change challenges, will also join the world leaders at a lunch to be hosted by French President Francois Hollande in honour of the heads of state and government.

Despite the November 13 terrorist attacks in Paris, the organisers were committed to go ahead with the event as planned.The main events of the COP21 are taking place at Le Bourget outside the city centre where the French authorities have taken stringent security measures to keep the site safe.

Besides addressing the Climate Change Conference, the prime minister is also expected to hold some bilateral meetings on its sidelines.Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid told APP that the Paris conference was important for Pakistan, as being included among the countries having a minimal level of emissions, it expected the developed world to reach an agreement on this issue of global importance.

He said that Pakistan also expected the world to provide the required resources and technology to tackle the challengesof climate change in the wake of its enhanced focus on development in the areas of energy and water shortages.

Earlier, the Pak ambassador told APP that besides addressing the Paris conference, the prime minister would also have an informal meeting with French President Francois Hollande and express Pakistan’s solidarity with the government and people of France over the November 13 terror attacks.

He also highlighted the challenges of melting glaciers, floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters faced by Pakistan due to climate change and said the conference would take up such issues.The ambassador said according to some international reports, Pakistan could touch dangerous levels in terms of water scarcity by 2050.—Published in The News