Federal Minister Dr. Musadik Malik issued a stark warning on Monday that climate-related projects must not be funded by diverting loans intended for education, health, and human development, asserting that such practices critically hinder progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Minister’s remarks were made during a meeting with a delegation from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) focused on expanding cooperation in sustainable land management, water resources, and climate-resilient development.

The FAO delegation, headed by Mr. Lifeng Li, Director of the Land and Water Division, emphasised that resource management and food systems are vital for Pakistan due to its significant vulnerability to climate impacts.

Mr. Li briefed the Minister on the FAO”s current initiatives, including programmes to prevent land degradation, improve the use of Indus Basin resources, and enhance water governance. He also presented the organization’s Country Programming Framework for Pakistan (2023-2027) and the Aqua Portal, a platform for inter-agency data sharing.

Dr. Malik, while appreciating the FAO”s support, underscored the necessity of prioritising capacity building and institutional strengthening, particularly in areas where public returns are low.

He also discussed the establishment of “Green Clusters” facilitated by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, designed to connect young Pakistani entrepreneurs in the green startup sector with international investors.

The Minister called for a structured collaborative framework that integrates administrative coordination, skill development, and public-private partnerships to formalise joint efforts.

Dr. Malik concluded by stressing the importance of the Ministry”s active involvement and the need for strong strategic alignment between federal, provincial, and international partners to ensure coherence and achieve long-term impact.