Integrating key national and regional issues into the the Fourth Medium Term Action Plan (MTAP-IV, 2018-22) was the objective for the Pakistan Country Consultation organised on 3 August 2016 at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad. The consultation meeting was organised under the auspices of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R), Government of Pakistan.

Speakers for the opening session were: Muhammad Abid Javed, Secretary, Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R) and International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) Board Member; Malik Shakir Bashir Awan, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on MNFS&R; and David Molden, Director General, ICIMOD. Participants included parliamentarians, media, ICIMOD partners, government, international organisations, scientists and youth representatives.

The ICIMOD issue brief on Implications of Climate Change for Water Resources and Policies in the Indus Basin’ was launched during the opening session. This brief provides a general introduction to the water challenges facing the Indus basin and highlights some of the key climate research findings of the Himalayan Climate Change Adaptation Programme (HICAP). The brief is based on and is complementary to The Himalayan Climate and Water Atlas launched at the UNFCCC COP 21 in Paris, France in December 2015. The brief communicates findings from climate change science in simple terms without sacrificing scientific accuracy and reliability.

The opening session ended with the signing of an addendum to the memorandum of understanding with Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).

Speakers during the panel discussions included: Ghulam Rasul, Director General, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD); Zakir Hussain, Conservator, Forest Department, Government of Gilgit Baltistan; Muhammad Ashraf, Chairman, Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR); Irshad Abbasi, Aga Khan Foundation; Rai Niaz Ahmad, Vice Chancellor, Arid Agriculture University; and Babar Khan, Head, WWF Gilgit. Various issues regarding climate change and adaption strategies were highlighted and possible partnerships with ICIMOD considered.

Participant’s highlighted three main drivers of change in Hindu Kush Himalayan region

• climate change
• political Instability and
• ecosystem Change.

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