President Zardari Reaffirms Pakistan’s Commitment To Global Climate, Sustainability Goals
ISLAMABAD, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 17th Aug, 2026) President Asif Ali Zardari stated that Pakistan remains dedicated to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and fulfilling its responsibilities under international agreements like the Paris Agreement, the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
"The Federal Government, Provincial Governments, the Governments of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, in collaboration with various stakeholders, are working towards strengthening forest conservation, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable landscape management," he mentioned in a message for the ‘Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign 2026’.
The president characterized the campaign as more than just a planting initiative, emphasizing it as a call to action for long-term environmental stewardship. He encouraged every citizen to plant indigenous tree species suitable for their areas and ensure their protection.
"The true measure of success will not be the number of saplings planted but the healthy trees and forests we nurture over time," he stated. The Monsoon Tree Plantation Campaign 2026 aims to plant 20 million saplings nationwide.
He appealed to citizens, especially the youth, educational institutions, organizations, and local communities, to actively participate and equally prioritize safeguarding the newly planted saplings.
Extending his greetings to the people of Pakistan on the campaign’s launch, President Zardari expressed that this national initiative reflects their collective responsibility to safeguard the environment, restore degraded landscapes, and build a greener, more climate-resilient nation.
He highlighted the significance of forests as vital natural assets for Pakistan:
- Sustaining biodiversity
- Protecting watersheds
- Combating desertification and land degradation
- Improving air quality
- Mitigating disaster risks
- Contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation
Noting the intensifying environmental challenges, President Zardari emphasized that protecting and expanding forest resources is a national duty and strategic priority. He mentioned Pakistan’s ongoing initiatives like the Upscaling Green Pakistan Programme, mangrove ecosystem restoration, sustainable forest management, and community-based conservation programs to enhance tree cover, protect biodiversity, improve livelihoods, and strengthen resilience to climate change.
Additionally, he stressed the importance of continuous efforts alongside measures to safeguard existing forests and ensure the survival and maturation of newly planted trees.
