Diplomats and environmental experts met in Islamabad for the Green Dialogue conference to strengthen climate cooperation between Ethiopia and Pakistan and to showcase Ethiopia’s Green Legacy afforestation efforts.
Chalachew Eshetie, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the Ethiopian Embassy in Islamabad, highlighted how the Green Legacy initiative mobilised the country to plant more than 48 billion seedlings, from fruit trees to coffee plants. He said the programme has been central to averting land degradation and improving food security, and urged Pakistan to consider similar climate-positive actions to build resilience against environmental shocks.
The Chargé d’Affaires praised the role of local organisers including Prof Dr Adam Saud, Dean FHSS at Bahria University, and academics Dr Muhammad Fahim Khan and Dr Tehseen Zahra for coordinating the summit that brought together government representatives, researchers and civil society.
Rear Admiral Naeem Sarwar, Director General of Bahria University, warned that human activity and unchecked technological advancement remain primary drivers of environmental damage, urging a careful balance between development and nature.
From an international perspective, MaDing Ping, Secretary General of the Chongqing Renewable Energy Society, presented a Green Entrepreneurship Starter Kit aimed at youth. He pointed to Chinese examples where drone-based agricultural monitoring and solar-powered infrastructure helped boost local productivity and suggested these models could be adapted across South Asia.
Tariq Mehmood, Vice Chancellor of the University of Narowal, underlined the urgency for Pakistan where rising heatwaves, flash floods and biodiversity loss have pushed the country into a state of high fragility. He called for a shift from reactive to proactive governance, stronger climate finance and policies that address socio-economic disparities.
Experts from the Sustainable Development Policy Institute and Bahria University’s Centre for Research Excellence added policy and research perspectives during discussions. The conference concluded with a shared view that environmental well-being transcends borders and that the Green Legacy offers practical lessons for Pakistan as governments, academia and communities seek urgent cooperation.
