At the COP29 Heads of Delegation retreat held in Shamakhi, Azerbaijan, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Climate Change, Dr. Musadik Malik, strongly urged developed countries to fulfill their $100 billion annual climate finance pledge. This promise, made under the 2015 Paris Agreement, aims to help vulnerable developing nations cope with the worsening impacts of climate change.
Dr. Malik stressed the urgent need for climate justice, equity, and stronger collaboration between the Global North and South. He pointed out that Pakistan contributes less than 1% to global emissions but suffers some of the world’s worst climate-related disasters, including deadly floods, prolonged droughts, and extreme heat waves, causing displacement and massive damage to infrastructure.
“The time for empty promises is over,” Malik declared. He emphasized that developing countries need inclusive and transparent access to climate finance, clean technology transfer, and adaptation support. Without this, efforts to build climate resilience and reduce vulnerabilities will falter, threatening millions of lives.
The retreat focused on key unresolved issues such as climate financing, loss and damage mechanisms, and bridging the gap in emission reduction pledges. Malik reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a sustainable, climate-resilient development path and pledged active participation in building a fair and effective international climate framework.
Ranked among the top 10 most climate-vulnerable countries globally, Pakistan has faced increasingly severe climate shocks, displacing millions and damaging homes, roads, and crops. The Heads of Delegation retreat was a crucial step in aligning global priorities and building trust ahead of COP29, scheduled later this year in Azerbaijan, where these critical issues will be negotiated.