Stakeout - UN SG Guterres and Pakistan Prime Minister - Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan
/
3:21
/
MP4
/
246.8 MB

Edited News , Press Conferences | UNDP , UNITED NATIONS , UNOG

International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan - Stake-out

At the International Conference on Climate-Resilient Pakistan, co-hosted by the Government of Pakistan and the United Nations, which took place today at the UN Office in Geneva, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for support to help Pakistan with a $16 billion rebuilding effort following devastating floods.

This conference is focused on resilience, and I have seen resilience time and time again from the women and men of Pakistan. From enduring the scourge of natural disaster and terrorism to Pakistan’s long and proud history of welcoming, protecting and supporting millions of Afghan refugees currently living in Pakistan”, the UN Secretary-General said on the sidelines of the conference.

Catastrophic floods in September 2022 left 33 million Pakistanis affected and displaced 8 million, killing over 1,700 and injuring thousands, and destroying more than 2 million homes. The ferocity of the flowing water damaged over 8,000 km of roads, 3,000 km of railway track. This calamity has led to the complete collapse of health and education services in the most affected areas. Education has been disrupted for 2.6 million students.

According to Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, the country requires $8 billion from its global allies in the next three years to recover from the devastating floods.

“I have not seen in my entire lifetime this kind of devastation which has not only crippled our economy but has posed a challenge which Pakistan alone cannot negotiate with – 30 billion dollars as the loss to our economy”, he said.

Pakistan is the fifth most populous country in the world and responsible for less than one percent of greenhouse gas emissions. Yet it is one of the most vulnerable to the increasing number of extreme weather events. While Pakistan hasn’t recovered from losses during the flood, the country’s economy remains in turmoil.

In addition to natural disasters, Pakistan is also a victim of the manmade disaster of a morally bankrupt global financial system. A system that denies middle-income countries debt relief and concessional financing to invest in resilience and recovery. And that must change”, said António Guterres.

Massive investments are now needed to supporting Pakistan to rebuild homes, buildings and infrastructure, to jump-start jobs and agriculture and to ensure access to technology and knowledge to help withstand future disasters.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured that “every penny will be spent in the most transparent fashion. I have put in place third party validation mechanisms so that every penny is accounted for and is invested in the interest of the needy and helpless people who have been badly affected by these ferocious floods”.

According to Antonio Guterres, countries on the frontlines of the climate crisis need massive support. Developed countries must deliver on their commitment to double adaptation finance, without delay.

Today it’s Pakistan. Tomorrow it could be in your country. And I am deeply frustrated that global leaders are not giving this life-or-death emergency the action and investment it requires. Because words are not enough. Without action, climate catastrophe is coming for all of us”.

-ends-

More information on: https://www.undp.org/international-conference-climate-resilient-pakistan

More Photos available on: https://www.flickr.com/photos/unisgeneva/albums/72177720305114603

  1. Medium shot, UN Geneva flag alley.
  2. Wide shot, press stakeout at UN Palais des Nations
  3. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) - António Guterres, UN Secretary-General: “This conference is focused on resilience, and I have seen resilience time and time again from the women and men of Pakistan. From enduring the scourge of natural disaster and terrorism to Pakistan’s long and proud history of welcoming, protecting and supporting millions of Afghan refugees currently living in Pakistan”.
  4. Medium shot, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan at stake out position
  5. Close-up shot, hands typing on laptop
  6. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) - Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan: “I have not seen in my entire lifetime this kind of devastation which has not only crippled our economy but has posed a challenge which Pakistan alone cannot negotiate with – 30 billion dollars as the loss to our economy”.
  7. Medium shot, camera view finder with Pakistan’s Prime Minister in background
  8. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) - Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan: “As I speak, we have already spent about 400 million dollars to provide basic support to 2.7 million households and this includes repurposed amounts as well given by World Bank and other institutions”.
  9. Close up, journalist taking notes
  10. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) - Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan: “It’s a huge challenge and we have to put back people on the tune of 33 million and that is, I think, unprecedented in the contemporary history”.
  11. Medium shot, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan at stake out position
  12. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) - António Guterres, UN Secretary-General: “In addition to natural disasters, Pakistan is also a victim of the manmade disaster of a morally bankrupt global financial system. A system that denies middle-income countries debt relief and concessional financing to invest in resilience and recovery. And that must change”.
  13. Medium shot, taking photo with cellphone
  14. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) - Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan: “Every penny will be spent in the most transparent fashion. I have put in place third party validation mechanisms so that every penny is accounted for and is invested in the interest of the needy and helpless people who have been badly affected by these ferocious floods”.
  15. Close-up, camera view finder featuring UN SG Antonio Guterres
  16. SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) - António Guterres, UN Secretary-General: “Today it’s Pakistan. Tomorrow it could be in your country. And I am deeply frustrated that global leaders are not giving this life-or-death emergency the action and investment it requires. Because words are not enough. Without action, climate catastrophe is coming for all of us”.
  17. Wide shot, camerapersons and journalists at stake-out position
  18. Wide shot, journalists at stake-out position
  19. Two shot, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan at stake out position

Similar Stories

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 08 July 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | IFRC , OHCHR , WHO , UNCTAD

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 08 July 2025 ENG FRA

Rolando Gómez, Chief of the Press and External Relations Section at the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva, chaired the hybrid briefing, which was attended by spokespersons and representatives from the International Trade Centre, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, World Health Organization, and United Nations Trade and Development.

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on recent violence in Kenya

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani on recent violence in Kenya ENG FRA

At the United Nations bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva, Ravina Shamdasani, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights made the following comments on the recent violence in Kenya.

US tariffs impact - ITC

1

1

1

Edited News | ITC

US tariffs impact - ITC ENG FRA

US tariffs uncertainty hurts world economy, with poorest countries hit hardest – top UN economist

A new US decision to further delay the end of a 90-day pause on tariffs is bad for business, a top UN economist said on Tuesday.

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 04 July 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | WIPO , UNICEF , UNHCR , WHO , IFRC

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 04 July 2025 ENG FRA

Rolando Gómez, of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the representatives and spokespersons of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the International Federation of the Red Cross, the World Intellectual Property Organisation, the Organisation Internationale pour la Francophonie, and the GIGA Connectivity Forum.

Gaza aid site casualties WHO - OHCHR 04 JULY 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO , OHCHR

Gaza aid site casualties WHO - OHCHR 04 JULY 2025 ENG FRA

Gaza aid site horror continues as more starving people shot trying to get food

Amid intensifying hopes for a new Gaza ceasefire, UN humanitarians confirmed disturbing details on Friday of continued killings and injuries of Palestinians desperately seeking food at aid sites.

OHCHR/ Special Procedures - Press conference: Special Rapporteur on OPT - 3 July 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | HRC

OHCHR/ Special Procedures - Press conference: Special Rapporteur on OPT - 3 July 2025 ENG FRA

Launch of the latest report of the Special Rapporteur "From economy of occupation to economy of genocide".

Iran update - UN Resident Coordinator

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA

Iran update - UN Resident Coordinator ENG FRA

A clearer picture of needs across Iran is beginning to emerge after the conflict this month with Israel, which left hundreds dead, several hospitals hit and a spike in Afghan refugees returning home, the UN’s top official in Tehran said on Tuesday.

Heatwave update - WMO

1

1

1

Edited News | WMO

Heatwave update - WMO ENG FRA

The blistering early-summer heatwave that’s brought life-threatening temperatures across much of the northern hemisphere is a worrying sign of things to come, UN weather experts said on Tuesday. 

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 01 July 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | IFRC , WFP , WMO

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 01 July 2025 ENG FRA

Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the representatives and spokespersons of the United Nations in Iran, the World Food Programme, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the World Meteorological Organisation, and the International Federation of the Red Cross.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk Remarks to Human Rights Council Annual Panel on adverse impacts of climate change

1

1

1

Edited News | OHCHR

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk Remarks to Human Rights Council Annual Panel on adverse impacts of climate change ENG FRA

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk made the following remarks to the Human Rights Council annual panel on adverse impacts of climate change.

Gaza update – WHO 27 June 2025

1

1

2

Edited News | WHO

Gaza update – WHO 27 June 2025 ENG FRA

The first meagre midweek delivery of urgently needed medical goods to enter Gaza in months will provide scant relief to the enclave’s people, who continue to be shot and killed as they search for food, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.