ISLAMABAD: According to local news media on Friday, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has named Pakistan a global ‘Forestry Champion’ from the entire Asia-Pacific area. Pakistan achieves global ‘Forestry champion’ title by UNEP.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recognised Prime Minister Imran Khan’s climate and forestry vision by designating Pakistan as a global forestry champion, marking a new milestone for Pakistan’s 10 Billion Trees Tsunami Plantation (TBTTP) programme.
Only three countries, namely Pakistan from Asia-Pacific, Congo from Africa, and Costa Rica from America, have been chosen as forestry champions. Last month, the UNEP released preliminary details on the forestry champion title.
Pakistan achieves global ‘Forestry champion’ title by UNEP.
In a recent move, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) made a formal declaration designating Pakistan as a forestry champion, as well as appointing Malik Amin Aslam as Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Climate Change.
Malik Amin Aslam, in a Twitter message, emphasised the widespread global support for Prime Minister Imran Khan’s climate and forestry vision for the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami Plantation initiative.
He stated that UNEP Executive Director and UN Under-Secretary-General Inger Andersen has chosen Pakistan, together with Congo and Costa Rica, as a global forestry champion from the Asia-Pacific region.
A strong global acknowledgment of @ImranKhanPTI #Climate and #Forestry vision of #10BillionTreeTsunami – @UNEP under @andersen_inger has selected #Pakistan as a global #ForestryChampion from the whole #AsiaPacificRegion along with #Congo (#Africa) and #CostaRica (#Americas) pic.twitter.com/QOtlbRsF5n
— Malik Amin Aslam (@aminattock) December 31, 2021
She expressed her gratitude for Pakistan’s willingness to be a regional champion in scaling up finance and turning the tide on deforestation in a letter to the PM’s climate change assistant.
“Building on the successful launch of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the leadership role of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan during World Environment Day, I look forward to working with you on achieving the full mitigation, adaptation and biodiversity potential of forest ecosystems by 2030.”
“Your role as a regional champion will be key in facilitating consensus among countries of the Asia-Pacific region, and beyond. Your stature and engagement will send a clear signal of ambition and commitment to concrete action,” Inger Andersen concluded.
The federal government announced plans to plant 10 billion trees as part of a large-scale project backed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). By planting one billion trees in 2019, the project reached a significant milestone.
