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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for grant-based climate financing for vulnerable countries, warning that water must never be used as a weapon.
Addressing the COP31 summit in Antalya, Turkiye, on Thursday, the prime minister urged developed nations to provide timely financial support to countries facing climate disasters.
He said national efforts could not replace a fair and just global response. Vulnerable countries needed assistance that would not increase their debt burdens.
“National effort cannot replace a fair and just global response when climate disaster strikes. Vulnerable countries need timely help and finance that does not deepen their debt,” he said.
PM Shehbaz called for grant-based financing, including public-private partnerships. He also urged a significant increase in resilience and climate adaptation funds.
He described these resources as essential for struggling economies facing the growing effects of climate change.
The prime minister stressed that water must never become a tool of political or economic pressure.
He said no country should be allowed to endanger the lives and livelihoods of people living downstream.
“Water sharing agreements must be honoured,” he said.
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PM Shehbaz emphasised that climate change crossed national borders. He urged countries to turn international solidarity into practical action.
Highlighting Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate disasters, the prime minister recalled the devastating floods of 2022.
He said one-third of the country had been submerged, affecting 33 million people. Standing crops were destroyed, millions of acres of land were inundated and more than 1,700 people lost their lives.
He added that economic losses exceeded $30 billion.
The prime minister also recalled the flash floods that struck Buner in August 2025. He shared the story of a young man whose wedding was just two days away when floods hit his village.
“A home preparing for celebration became a house of mourning,” he said.
PM Shehbaz said he had met families who lost their homes, livelihoods and loved ones. Their suffering reflected the experiences of millions across Pakistan and the developing world.
He noted that countries contributing the least to global emissions often faced some of the most severe climate consequences.
Recalling his earlier address to the United Nations, he said he had warned that Pakistan’s climate crisis would not remain confined to its borders.
“Unfortunately, that warning has become a stark reality. The future we feared has become the present we are living in,” he added.
The prime minister also outlined Pakistan’s efforts to expand clean energy.
He said he had witnessed the dome placement ceremony at the Chashma-5 nuclear power plant while travelling to Antalya.
According to PM Shehbaz, the project will add 1,200 megawatts of electricity once commissioned.
He also said Pakistan had added more than 20 gigawatts of distributed solar capacity in just two years.
Clean energy sources now account for nearly 55% of the country’s energy mix, he added.
The government is also advancing electric mobility and has set a target to reduce projected emissions by approximately 50% by 2035.
PM Shehbaz said these efforts demonstrated Pakistan’s commitment to the clean energy transition. However, he reiterated that national initiatives alone could not address the global climate crisis.
He thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, First Lady Emine Erdogan and the people of Turkiye for supporting Pakistan during the devastating floods of 2010 and 2022.
The prime minister also appreciated Turkiye’s hospitality and arrangements for COP31. He commended Australia’s role as President of Negotiations.
Concluding his address, PM Shehbaz urged world leaders to judge the summit by tangible results rather than promises.
“At COP31, let our success be measured not by promises we make here, but by the families we protect, the resources we deliver, and the meaningful action we sustain,” he said.
On the sidelines of COP31, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
The two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, technology, education and climate resilience.
In a post on X, the prime minister said both sides had agreed to build a forward-looking Pakistan-Finland partnership.
He also highlighted Finland’s expertise in flood forecasting and early warning systems. Pakistan, he said, valued Finland’s experience in these areas.
PM Shehbaz thanked President Stubb for appreciating Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue between Iran and the United States.
He also expressed his desire to welcome the Finnish president to Pakistan.
Separately, the prime minister met Sudan’s Transitional Sovereignty Council President, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
During the meeting, PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Sudan’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.
In another post on X, he expressed solidarity with the Sudanese people during the country’s challenging circumstances.
The two leaders also discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
They agreed that climate change required urgent and collective international action, particularly to support developing countries facing its most severe consequences.
[…] PM Shehbaz Calls for Grant-Based Climate Financing, Warns Against Weaponising Water at COP31 […]