In that which can be termed a glaring success for Pakistan’s Green Diplomacy, the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia highlights Pakistan’s efforts against the effects of climate change. Under the new agreement, Pakistan will help Saudi Arabia plant 10 billion trees across the Kingdom. Pakistan’s Billion Tree Tsunami Project has won many global and environmental organisations international appreciation. The country continued its plantation drive even during covid19 lockdown periods in an unprecedented move. The total estimated cost of the project stands at Rs 125 billion and is to be completed by 2023. The project aims to revive forests, and wildlife resources in Pakistan, improve the overall conservation of the existing protected areas, encourage environmental tourism, community engagement, and job creation.
In a formal launch of Pakistan’s Green Diplomacy, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM), Malik Amin Aslam, added that Pakistan’s efforts are being appreciated worldwide and are being adopted as a model for other countries. Earlier in 2021, Saudi Arabia announced two initiatives amounting to USD 10 billion to combat climate change. Since Pakistan has successfully implemented the project, it can look towards global partners for support and management of billion tree tsunami projects. This highlights Pakistan’s success in tackling the adverse impacts of climate change and underlines the seriousness with which the incumbent government has taken on this issue. As Pakistan is also one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, adopting such policies in the future can ensure that Pakistan leverages its green diplomacy to attract foreign investments and boost the tourism sector in the country.
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