London, August 26, 2026: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has offered to host a Commonwealth Disaster Resilience Hub at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in Islamabad, highlighting Pakistan’s expertise in climate mitigation and disaster management.
Ishaq Dar made the offer during a meeting with Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey at Marlborough House in London, where the two sides discussed Pakistan’s engagement with the Commonwealth, climate resilience, youth development, economic cooperation and recent developments in the Middle East.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s strong commitment to the Commonwealth as a founding member, the Deputy Prime Minister underscored Islamabad’s support for Secretary-General Botchwey’s vision and efforts to strengthen the organisation.
He also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to advancing the Commonwealth’s priorities relating to youth development, climate resilience and economic growth, while stressing the importance of promoting intra-Commonwealth trade through institutionalised cooperation in the banking sector.
Highlighting Pakistan’s experience in dealing with climate-related disasters and strengthening disaster preparedness, Ishaq Dar said Commonwealth member states could benefit from Pakistan’s expertise in climate mitigation and disaster management.
He renewed Pakistan’s offer to establish the Commonwealth Disaster Resilience Hub at the NDMA in Islamabad, which could serve as a platform for sharing expertise, strengthening preparedness and enhancing disaster-response capabilities among Commonwealth countries.
Secretary-General Botchwey welcomed the proposal and expressed the Commonwealth Secretariat’s keen interest in working with Pakistan to strengthen disaster preparedness capabilities across member states.
The two leaders also agreed to strengthen cooperation on youth development and expand youth-related activities across the Commonwealth.
The discussion assumes particular significance as Pakistan is serving as co-chair of the Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting (CYMM). Both sides agreed to work towards ensuring greater opportunities and tangible benefits for young people across Commonwealth member states.
Ishaq Dar also reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the Commonwealth’s broader economic development agenda and highlighted the potential for greater trade and financial cooperation among member states.
The Deputy Prime Minister also briefed the Commonwealth Secretary-General on recent developments in the Middle East, including Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to broker peace between the United States and Iran.
Secretary-General Botchwey congratulated Pakistan, particularly Ishaq Dar, for what she described as his untiring mediation efforts between the United States and Iran.
She thanked Pakistan for helping avert what she termed a destructive war and for contributing to peace and stability in the region.
