Climate change demands collective global action, says Musadik Malik
Pakistan, Xizang agree to expand cooperation on ‘Climate Change and Environmental’ protection
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadik Malik held a high-level meeting with Vice Chairman of the People’s Government of the Xizang Autonomous Region, Xu Zitao, to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation in climate change, environmental protection, biodiversity conservation and scientific research.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 5th China Xizang Trans-Himalaya Forum, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening Pakistan-China cooperation in environmental sustainability and mountain ecosystem conservation.
During the meeting, Vice Chairman Xu Zitao warmly welcomed the Pakistani delegation and briefed Dr. Musadik Malik on the history, geography, political development, economic progress and cultural heritage of the Xizang Autonomous Region.
He highlighted Xizang’s development model, which integrates economic growth with ecological conservation, emphasizing that environmental protection remains a cornerstone of the region’s long-term development strategy.
The Vice Chairman said Xizang has witnessed remarkable socio-economic transformation over the past several decades, resulting in significant improvements in infrastructure, public welfare and overall economic development while maintaining a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
He informed the Pakistani delegation that the autonomous region is home to 47 national parks, where conservation efforts are being carried out alongside development initiatives to preserve the area’s unique ecological systems and biodiversity.
Xu Zitao also highlighted Xizang’s rich cultural and religious diversity, noting the historical presence of a small Muslim community of Kashmiri origin, reflecting centuries-old cultural and people-to-people links between the region and South Asia.
Dr. Musadik Malik thanked the Vice Chairman for the warm hospitality extended to the Pakistani delegation and reaffirmed the longstanding friendship and Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Pakistan and China.
The Federal Minister said Pakistan highly values its close and multifaceted relationship with China, which continues to expand across various sectors, including environmental protection, climate resilience, infrastructure development and scientific cooperation.
The two sides held detailed discussions on enhancing collaboration in climate change mitigation and adaptation, environmental conservation, biodiversity protection, scientific research, technological innovation, sustainable development and the preservation of fragile mountain ecosystems.
Dr. Malik emphasized that Pakistan and the Xizang Autonomous Region share similar geographical and ecological characteristics, particularly their mountainous terrain and climate-related challenges. He said these shared environmental conditions provide a strong foundation for greater cooperation through knowledge exchange, joint research programmes and institutional partnerships.
The meeting also explored opportunities for cooperation in traditional knowledge systems, particularly Tibetan medicine. Both sides observed that several traditional medicinal practices associated with the Xizang region are also familiar in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region, creating new avenues for academic collaboration, research and the exchange of indigenous knowledge.
The discussions underscored the importance of promoting scientific innovation and regional cooperation to address the growing challenges posed by climate change, environmental degradation and biodiversity loss across the Himalayan region.
Concluding the meeting, Dr. Musadik Malik reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation with China in the fields of climate action, environmental protection and scientific research. He expressed confidence that enhanced collaboration would not only contribute to sustainable development but also further deepen the time-tested friendship and Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Pakistan and China.
Background
Pakistan and China have steadily expanded cooperation on climate resilience, environmental conservation and sustainable development under their broader Strategic Cooperative Partnership. Both countries share common interests in protecting the fragile ecosystems of the Himalayan region and have increasingly focused on joint initiatives related to biodiversity conservation, disaster risk reduction, glacier monitoring and climate adaptation. The 5th China Xizang Trans-Himalaya Forum provides an important platform for promoting regional dialogue and cooperation on ecological protection and sustainable development across the Himalayan region.