16 Aug 2017 | News

Private Sector Engagement for Climate Action in Pakistan

With the development of a Private Sector Engagement Strategy, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is conducting a series of meetings in its Regional Member Countries (RMCs) with potential private sector entities and social enterprises to create a private sector partnership landscape. The valuable inputs provided during these meetings will guide ICIMOD through its Medium Term Action Plan IV activities, especially in relation to exploring mutual areas of cooperation with private sector bodies in its RMCs.

In order to engage the private sector as a collaborative partner for sustainable mountain development, a roundtable discussion was held among key officials from government agencies, non-governmental organization, development agencies, research and academic institutions, and various private sector bodies in Pakistan.

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Session on the role of the private sector in climate action in the mountain areas of Pakistan Photo Credit: Hashoo Foundation

A joint event titled “Working Together for Sustainable Mountain Development: Private Sector Engagement for Climate Action in Pakistan” was organized by the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC), Hashoo Foundation, and ICIMOD in Islamabad, Pakistan in July 2017. The event was attended by government officials, private sector representatives, and representatives from development agencies and non-governmental organizations.

The key objectives of the roundtable discussion was to bring together different stakeholders to create a platform to exchange innovative ideas for fostering multi-stakeholder partnerships for climate action in mountain areas of Pakistan. It was also an attempt to promote and stimulate private sector interest and involvement in mountain ecosystems sustainability through partnerships for climate action by mobilizing knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources. Ultimately, the event sought to leverage and position strengths towards partnerships in the context of post Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for investments and opportunities to reach out to those businesses which depend on mountain resources and explore areas of mutual interest and benefit.

The event provided a platform to bring together various stakeholders to work for sustainable mountain development. Remarks on the opening session were given by Muhammad Abid Javed, Secretary, Ministry of National Food Security and Research and ICIMOD Board Member; Yusuf Zafar, Chairman, PARC; Syed Mahmood Nasir, Inspector General of Forests, Ministry of Climate Change; Ayesha Khan, Chairman, Hashoo Foundation; and Basanta Shrestha, Director Strategic Cooperation, ICIMOD. Shrestha highlighted that ICIMOD is keen on collaborating and fostering partnerships with the private sector to address issues related to climate change. He further emphasized on the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships and elaborated on such partnerships can create an impact and upscale potential and sustainability.

Keynote speakers for the roundtable discussion session, Ayesha Khan, Hashoo Foundation and Farid Ahmad, ICIMOD set the stage for the intensive discussion. The discussion focused on how organizations are working with private sector entities and on the way forward to collaborate meaningfully for sustainable mountain development in Pakistan. The roundtable discussion brought together dignitaries from the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, PARC Agro-Tech Company, Aga Khan Foundation, Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, Rural Support Program Network, UN Global Compact, North National Pakistan, Brick Kiln Association of Pakistan, and ICIMOD.