Pakistan and Qatar have agreed to deepen their partnership in environmental protection, trade, and youth entrepreneurship following a high-level meeting in Islamabad. The Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, and the Qatari Ambassador to Pakistan, Ali Mubarak Ali Essa Al-Khater, discussed a range of opportunities to expand cooperation, particularly in tackling plastic pollution and fostering green startups.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed upcoming international commitments, including the ongoing global negotiations aimed at creating a legally binding treaty to address plastic pollution. Dr. Malik emphasized the need for such agreements to consider the unique challenges faced by developing countries, stressing that policies must ensure fairness, affordability, and sustainability for nations like Pakistan. He urged that socio-economic realities should be at the forefront of all international environmental discussions to protect citizens’ rights and livelihoods.
Highlighting Pakistan’s domestic efforts, Dr. Malik introduced the Green Startups Initiative, a government-led program designed to empower young entrepreneurs in launching environmentally-friendly projects. The initiative intends to connect local talent with international investors, offering youth a pathway to engage in sustainable economic development. Plans are underway to present this initiative at major global forums, and negotiations are ongoing with key organizations and governments to secure support.
The Qatari Ambassador expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s assistance during the FIFA World Cup 2022 and highlighted the strong bonds between the two countries. He reaffirmed Qatar’s interest in boosting collaboration on climate action, as well as expanding economic and investment ties.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Climate Change and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also attended the meeting. Both nations confirmed their shared commitment to advancing environmental sustainability and strengthening their bilateral relationship through new economic and social initiatives.
