The World Bank’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa met with senior officials from the Punjab Environment Protection and Climate Change Department to review progress on the Punjab Green Development Program and to discuss future measures under the Punjab Clean Air Program. The visit underscored existing accomplishments and mapped out collaborative strategies to further improve air quality and advance sustainable development across the province.
During the meeting, both sides assessed the current status of the Punjab Green Development Program, noting areas of progress and identifying priorities for scaling up efforts. Discussions focused on program implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and opportunities to enhance coordination between provincial authorities and international partners.
Officials highlighted achievements to date, including strengthened institutional capacity, early-stage implementation of measures to reduce pollution, and increased awareness of clean air objectives among stakeholders. The World Bank delegation and provincial representatives acknowledged these gains while recognizing the need for continued effort to translate plans into measurable environmental improvements.
Looking ahead, the parties discussed a range of strategic initiatives under the Punjab Clean Air Program aimed at accelerating air quality gains. These included enhancing air quality monitoring systems, reinforcing regulatory compliance, promoting cleaner transport and industrial practices, and expanding community engagement and public awareness campaigns. Emphasis was placed on integrating sustainable development goals with targeted interventions to reduce emissions and improve public health outcomes.
Both the World Bank and the Punjab Environment Protection and Climate Change Department committed to deepening their partnership, with plans to refine technical assistance, mobilize financing where needed, and develop actionable workplans for the next phase of the programs. The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue regular dialogue and coordination to ensure effective implementation and measurable progress on air quality and green development objectives.
