The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of Pakistan, General Syed Asim Munir, met with Afghanistan’s Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, Amir Khan Muttaqi, to discuss the need for increased cooperation between the two countries to address common challenges of terrorism and extremism. General Asim reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to a stable, peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan and emphasized the importance of full support and commitment from the Afghan interim government in matters of mutual interest. Both sides agreed on the significance of maintaining regular contact to strengthen bilateral ties and address common concerns.

In a separate meeting, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Qin Gang, called on the COAS and reaffirmed China’s support for Pakistan’s efforts in maintaining regional peace and stability. The COAS pledged full support for China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and appreciated China’s unwavering support for Pakistan on regional and international issues. Both sides discussed matters of mutual interest, including regional security and defence cooperation, and agreed to enhance existing cooperation in defence and security domains to counter common security challenges effectively.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also hosted a luncheon in honour of the visiting Afghan delegation and held candid and in-depth exchanges on key issues of mutual concern, including peace and security, as well as trade and connectivity. The foreign ministers emphasized the need for enhanced coordination to counter terrorism and deepen bilateral cooperation. Regarding bilateral and transit trade, the two sides stressed the importance of removing impediments to trade to advance the goal of enhanced regional economic integration and connectivity.

The 5th China-Pakistan-Afghanistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers Dialogue, attended by the Chinese Foreign Minister, was also held, where the three sides agreed to advance political engagement, and counterterrorism cooperation, and enhance trade, investments, and connectivity under the trilateral framework.

The COAS of Pakistan stressed the need for enhanced cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan to address common challenges of terrorism and extremism while reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to a stable, peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan. China also pledged its support for Pakistan’s efforts in maintaining regional peace and stability, and both sides agreed to enhance existing cooperation in defence and security domains to counter common security challenges effectively. The foreign ministers of Pakistan and Afghanistan held candid and in-depth exchanges on key issues of mutual concern, including peace and security, as well as trade and connectivity, and emphasized the need for enhanced coordination to counter-terrorism and deepen bilateral cooperation. The 5th China-Pakistan-Afghanistan Trilateral Foreign Ministers Dialogue also advanced political engagement, counterterrorism cooperation, and enhanced trade, investments, and connectivity under the trilateral framework.

Pakistan’s Minister for Climate Change, Sherry Rehman, has called on the international community to restructure the international financial system in order to address climate change adaptation and mitigation. Speaking at the Petersburg Climate Dialogue in Germany, Rehman stressed that the global financial infrastructure must be restructured to make climate finance accessible to developing countries.

Rehman highlighted the urgency of making the Climate Fund more accessible to developing countries, particularly those facing the maximum burden of environmental degradation. She noted that countries like Pakistan face challenges in securing the necessary climate funds to meet their environmental goals. According to the Standing Committee on Finance of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, 78 developing countries need $6 trillion dollars by 2030 to meet their financial needs under the Paris Agreement.

Rehman emphasized that Pakistan needs $348 billion dollars by 2030 to address the challenges of climate change. The country is already facing devastating impacts of climate change, including increased frequency and intensity of floods, droughts, and heat waves. These events not only harm people, but also impact agriculture, water resources, and infrastructure, further exacerbating poverty and inequality.

Rehman also emphasized the importance of climate justice, arguing that developed countries have a historical responsibility to support developing countries in their efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change. She urged the international community to take action, noting that the climate crisis is not just an environmental issue, but also a humanitarian and social justice issue.

The call for restructuring the international financial system to address climate change is not new. Developing countries have long called for greater access to finance and technology to support their efforts to address climate change. The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, includes a commitment by developed countries to mobilize $100 billion dollars annually by 2020 to support developing countries in their efforts to address climate change. However, this target has yet to be met, and there is growing recognition that greater support is needed.

Rehman’s call for action comes ahead of the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Egypt later this year. The conference is seen as a critical moment for global action on climate change, with countries expected to agree on new commitments to reduce emissions and provide finance to support adaptation and mitigation efforts.