Pakistan urges action on climate finance, respect for water treaties at UN

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has urged the international community to take immediate action on climate finance, reform of the international debt system, and greater cooperation over shared water resources during the UN General Assembly’s Second Committee. Speaking at the committee's general debate, Deputy Permanent Representative Ambassador Usman Jadoon emphasized that the committee must focus on delivering tangible results to address the world's most pressing economic and development challenges.

The committee's work, though less prominent than high-level political debates, often has more direct and lasting consequences for developing countries. The UN Water Conferences scheduled for 2026 and 2028 were highlighted as crucial platforms for addressing water-related challenges, respecting international law, and upholding existing treaties.

Pakistan's concerns extended to the wider financing crisis facing developing countries, with an estimated $4 trillion annual gap in financing to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Four priorities were proposed to bridge the gap: mobilizing domestic resources for developing countries, expanding international public finance and development assistance, reforming the international debt architecture, and reviving the World Trade Organisation.