Islamabad, October 13,2026: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to global efforts to reduce disaster risks, vulnerability and socio-economic losses, stressing the need for stronger preparedness and climate resilience.
In his message on the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, Dar said reducing disaster risks was essential not only for humanitarian reasons but also for achieving and sustaining progress under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
He noted that Pakistan had endured devastating climate-induced disasters in recent years, including recurring floods, accelerating glacial melt, droughts, heatwaves and increasing water stress.
Intense rainfall during recent monsoon seasons, which caused loss of lives and livelihoods, underscored the disproportionate climate burden borne by Pakistan despite contributing less than one per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, he added.
Dar said these experiences had strengthened Pakistan’s resolve to pursue proactive, technology-driven and inclusive disaster risk management.
Guided by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy 2025–2030, the government is pursuing a multi-hazard approach focused on prevention, preparedness and resilience-building at national and sub-national levels. Measures include strengthening national systems and introducing shock-responsive social protection initiatives.
Aligned with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, Pakistan’s policies prioritize stronger early warning systems, the integration of disaster risk reduction into development planning, and the use of innovation and technology to anticipate and manage emerging risks.
The deputy prime minister emphasized that disaster risk management in shared river basins was inherently a transboundary challenge, requiring cooperation among riparian states, adherence to international law and full respect for treaties and agreements in force.
He also called on the international community to strengthen cooperation, technology transfer and financing mechanisms to help developing countries mitigate and adapt to the accelerating impacts of climate change.
Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s solidarity with all nations in pursuing the shared responsibility of building a safer, more resilient and sustainable world.
