ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived in Geneva on Monday (today) to co-host the “International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan” as Pakistan continues to recover from the devastating floods that submerged more than a third of the country.
The moot, which will be attended by heads of state and government as well as other stakeholders, aims to garner international support for the rehabilitation of the super flood-affected population and the climate-resilient reconstruction of damaged infrastructure.
The “Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Construction Framework” (4RF) will be introduced during the conference’s dual objectives. In addition to international assistance in forging long-term partnerships to achieve climate resilience, the framework includes institutional, financial, and implementation arrangements for the recovery from the flood.
The high-level opening segments of the conference, which will be co-chaired by PM Sharif and Mr. Guterres, will include partner support announcements and the official launch of 4RF. Donors and other partners are expected to announce their financial commitment to the 4RF at this point.
The articulation of provincial perspectives will be part of the second part of the conference, which will look at concrete ways to build long-term climate resilience and adaptation. In addition to a luncheon, Mr. Sharif and Mr. Guterres will conduct a joint press stakeout at the conclusion of the preliminary session.
Read: Floods Making History in Pakistan
4RF rebuilding plan
As a follow-up to the conference, there will be a summary from the conference’s co-chairs and the announcement of an International Partner Group made up of interested UN member states.
Pakistan’s strategic policy document, the 4RF, is a follow-up to the government-led Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), which was done with help from international organizations. The PDNA estimates that total damages and economic losses exceed $30 billion and that over $16 billion is needed for rehabilitation and resilient reconstruction.
The government’s comprehensive plans for disaster recovery will be based on the 4RF. It outlines four strategic recovery objectives (SRO), a policy framework, a financing strategy, and arrangements for implementation and monitoring in order of priority.
The 4RF is an essential starting point for ensuring that transformational measures are taken for resilient recovery and that the disaster will not have an impact on multiple generations due to diminished developmental gains. The nation will also build and strengthen its long-term resilience to climate change and natural disasters on this foundation.
Stakeholder mapping, resource mobilization planning, and strategic prioritization of interventions across all sectors were initiated in the 4RF. Criteria such as urgency, institutional capacity, and financial viability were used to prioritize the requirements.
In order to ensure an effective, equitable, coordinated, and transparent delivery that is led by the government and supported by the international community, the identified activities will give priority to the immediate requirements of the populations that have been affected. They will also employ an inclusive, participatory, and conflict-sensitive approach.
The Strategic Recovery Objectives (SROs) will serve as the foundation for further fine-tuning the priorities for project proposals and investment opportunities. They include broad priority activities and programs for flood recovery.
There are four SROs: to improve governance and the state institutions’ capacity to restore affected people’s lives and livelihoods; ensure social participation and inclusion; and restore and enhance physical infrastructure and basic services in a resilient and long-lasting manner.
The total cost of four SROs, including immediate and short-term (immediate and short-term up to one year), medium-term (up to three years), and long-term (up to seven years) costs, is $16 billion.
Institutional reforms and investments must go beyond “business as usual” to “build back better” and develop systemic resilience as climate change accelerates the severity and frequency of disasters.
The document also stated that a credible recovery strategy is essential for efficient and coherent reconstruction as well as optimal resource mobilization and utilization in accordance with global best practices.
Knut Ostby, Pakistan Representative for the United Nations Development Program, stated, “This is a pivotal moment for the global community to stand with Pakistan and to commit to a resilient and inclusive recovery from these devastating floods.”
Read: Apocalyptic Floods of Pakistan
‘Build back better’
The prime minister urged the international community prior to his departure to show compassion and solidarity with the millions of Pakistanis who had been affected by floods that had caused unprecedented destruction in order to provide them with a new home and compensate for their losses.
Leaving for Geneva today to co-host International Conference on Resilient Pakistan along with UN Secretary General. Will take the opportunity to present the case of flood victims before the world. I will also throw light on steps my govt has taken for relief & rehabilitation. 1/3
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) January 8, 2023
The PM stated in a series of tweets prior to leaving for the conference: Millions of Pakistanis were impacted by floods that caused unprecedented destruction, and they sought compassion and solidarity to rebuild.
The human race is at a turning point in world history. The prime minister wrote on his Twitter handle, “The resilient future for our subsequent generations will be shaped by our actions today.”
He stated that he would take advantage of the occasion to present the flood victims’ cases to the world. I will also shed light on my government’s actions. has been taken for relief and rehabilitation,” he added.
The prime minister stated that at the conference, they would present to development partners and friendly nations a comprehensive framework plan for recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction with resilience.
He continued, “The key to restoring critical infrastructure, rebuilding lives and livelihoods, and reviving the economy is to bridge the funding gap.”