Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will present Pakistan’s climate priorities at COP31 in Antalya, including climate justice, renewable energy and increased financing for vulnerable developing countries.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to highlight Pakistan’s climate priorities, call for climate justice and seek greater international cooperation during his engagements at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) in Antalya, Turkiye, on Wednesday.
The prime minister will address the COP31 Leaders’ Summit and participate in a high-level dialogue on clean energy transition and electrification hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to official statements.
The clean energy session, titled “35 by 35: Powering the Future,” will focus on accelerating electrification and advancing the global energy transition. Shehbaz is expected to outline Pakistan’s vision for renewable energy and highlight the importance of expanding access to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
He will also deliver Pakistan’s National Statement at the summit, presenting the country’s position on climate justice and the challenges confronting developing nations that face severe climate impacts despite contributing relatively little to global greenhouse gas emissions.
According to Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s Office, Shehbaz will call for practical international measures and stronger cooperation to address the climate crisis, particularly to support countries with limited resources and greater exposure to climate-related disasters.
Meetings with world leaders
The prime minister is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with President Erdogan and several other world leaders on the sidelines of the conference.
The discussions are expected to cover bilateral relations, mutual interests and shared challenges arising from climate change. Shehbaz will later attend a gala dinner hosted by the Turkish president in honour of visiting world leaders.
His participation comes as Pakistan seeks greater international support for its transition towards renewable energy and stronger climate resilience.
Pakistan’s climate priorities
During his engagements, Shehbaz is expected to highlight Pakistan’s efforts to accelerate solarisation, expand renewable energy capacity and move towards cleaner energy sources.
He will also emphasise the need for predictable, adequate and accessible climate financing to help developing countries strengthen their resilience, improve disaster preparedness and achieve sustainable development goals.
Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change was demonstrated by the devastating 2022 floods, which affected approximately 33 million people across the country.
A post-disaster assessment conducted by the government and international development partners estimated physical damage at $14.9 billion and economic losses at $15.2 billion.
Pakistan has also played an active role in international climate negotiations. Ahead of COP27 in 2022, the country chaired the Group of 77 and China and advocated for loss-and-damage financing to support nations suffering the consequences of climate-related disasters.
COP31 amid growing climate concerns
COP31 is being held in Antalya from Nov. 9 to 20, with the World Leaders’ Summit scheduled for Nov. 11 and 12. The gathering brings together heads of state and government to discuss climate action, energy transition and the implementation of international commitments.
The conference is taking place amid growing concerns over rising global temperatures, extreme weather events and the slow implementation of climate commitments.
The United Nations Environment Programme’s Emissions Gap Report 2026 warned that global temperatures are expected to exceed the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold set under the Paris Agreement, highlighting the need for substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
Against this backdrop, Pakistan is expected to use its participation to press for stronger international cooperation, fair climate financing and practical measures that address the needs of countries most vulnerable to global warming.
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