German Ambassador to Pakistan, Ms Ina Lepel, has highlighted the precarious state of global peace, citing ongoing conflicts and tensions across various regions, while reiterating Berlin’s commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2045. Speaking at a special interactive session at Punjab University”s Institute of Administrative Sciences, the envoy stressed the urgent need for countries worldwide to enhance their relations through dialogue, deeming it the sole sustainable path forward.
During her address, Ms Lepel detailed Germany”s robust efforts to improve the global environment, outlining a clear national vision for the world to achieve net-zero emissions within the next two decades. She noted the European nation’s swift transition towards renewable and reusable energy sources, alongside an increasing public and governmental focus on electric vehicles, spurred by escalating petroleum prices. The diplomat also mentioned the burgeoning era of technological revolution, particularly questioning the future role of artificial intelligence, and emphasised Germany”s recent advocacy for green technology, renewable energy, and climate resilience.
The ambassador further underscored Germany”s unwavering focus on peace, security, and prosperity within Europe. Reflecting on recent developments in the Middle East, the US-Iran situation, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, she observed that international stability had once again reached a delicate juncture. Ms Lepel also articulated that a robust economy and a strong defence are indispensable for national stability, complemented by internal institutional fortitude for nations to effectively navigate contemporary global challenges. She affirmed Germany”s active contribution to strengthening Europe’s strategic self-reliance, describing the European Union as the world”s largest and most influential trade bloc, and called for the elimination of bureaucratic hurdles for effective solutions to societal and governance issues.
Appreciating Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement on multilateral platforms, Ms Lepel commended its role at the United Nations Security Council. She disclosed that the German Chancellor had recently contacted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss regional tensions, signifying Berlin”s sustained interest in promoting peace and stability throughout South Asia.
Highlighting robust educational and economic connections between the two countries, the envoy stated that approximately 10,000 Pakistani students are currently pursuing their studies in Germany. She identified Pakistan, as the world’s fifth most populous country, as a crucial trade market for Germany. The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is consistently providing scholarships to hundreds of Pakistani scholars annually, and many Pakistanis are keen to work and acquire technical proficiencies within Germany”s small and medium industrial sector. German academic institutions and scholarship organisations have steadily expanded their outreach to Pakistani universities, including Punjab University, in recent years.
Responding to students” inquiries on diplomacy, the ambassador affirmed that core diplomatic skills are largely universal. She advised aspiring diplomats to cultivate active listening, understand diverse cultures, maintain an eagerness to learn, remain composed under pressure, and avoid being swayed by provocation or rhetoric, asserting that “A good diplomat is one who understands before reacting.”
Earlier, the German ambassador paid a visit to the Vice Chancellor”s office, meeting with PU VC Prof Dr Muhammad Ali. Dr Ali conveyed Punjab University”s keen interest in fostering joint research, faculty cooperation, and academic exchange programmes with German universities. He underscored the vital importance of international research partnerships for innovation and knowledge sharing, expressing the university”s anticipation of deepening its engagement with German institutions and building stronger institutional linkages with German academia to promote collaborative research and student mobility.