The Future of Community and Mobility Week
Panel discussion on climate change
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
A pannel discussion on Climate Change, Carbon Credits and its challenges, and role of Pakistan. The program will include discussion on the ongoing practices in the world related to the mitigation of the effects of climate change, and what the countries can learn from it. It will also include measures being taken in Pakistan.*All speakers except Dr. Arfa Shahid will attend online.
Recorded video available
Discussion
- Disaster prevention and reconstruction
- Climate change
| Transmission of simultaneous interpretation | To be determined |
|---|---|
| Language of interpretation | English |
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Track Programme
- Time and
Date of
the event -
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2025.05.16[Fri]
10:00 ～ 12:30
(Venue Open 09:30)
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- Venue
- Theme Weeks Studio
Programme details
*Subtitles: Choose “Subtitles/CC” in the “Settings” (gear icon) at the bottom right of the YouTube video.
*Subtitles may not show with multiple languages or overlapping audio.
National scenario in the context of Climate Change
Climate Change Policy, Adaptation and Mitigation measures
NDCs and NAP; salient features of NDCs and NAP
National Carbon Market Policy
Opportunities for partnership, investment and joint ventures
Reports
【Reflection】
On May 16, 2025, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan hosted a “Panel Discussion on Climate Change” as part of the Future of Community and Mobility Week at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. This session served as a platform to present Pakistan’s environmental policies and facilitate dialogue on global efforts to combat climate change.
The panel featured both in-person and online participants. Arfa Shahid from the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan was present on-site, while online contributors included Ms. Humera Jahanzeb (National Adaptation Plan Project Coordinator), Dr. Irfan Abbas Shah (Economic Minister, Embassy of Pakistan in Tokyo), Mr. Arif Goheer (Executive Director, Global Climate Change Impact Studies Centre), Ms. Khalida Bashir (Joint Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change), and Mr. Saadullah Ayaz (Member Mitigation, PCCA).
Key topics included the implementation of carbon credit mechanisms, Pakistan’s Green Initiatives such as afforestation and water conservation, and localized climate resilience strategies, particularly in vulnerable rural areas. Emphasis was placed on the execution of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), underscoring the importance of evidence-based policymaking.
Speakers highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to sustainability and the urgent need for international cooperation. As a Global South country, Pakistan stressed the importance of access to financial and technological support from the Global North to effectively address climate challenges.
The session concluded with a reaffirmation of Pakistan’s role in the global climate agenda and underscored the Expo as a vital platform for cross-cultural exchange and cooperative climate action.
【Post EXPO Initiatives】
Following the climate change panel discussion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Pakistan is poised to enhance its commitment to sustainable development through targeted national and international actions. A key focus will be on reinforcing the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This includes concrete measures in agriculture, water management, and renewable energy to increase resilience and reduce emissions.
In rural areas vulnerable to climate change, Pakistan will promote climate-smart agriculture and introduce sustainable irrigation technologies to protect livelihoods and ecosystems simultaneously. Urban centers will also see increased efforts through the expansion of the Green Pakistan Programme, including tree plantation drives, urban forestry, and the development of green public spaces.
Building on the Expo dialogue, Pakistan intends to strengthen its carbon credit framework, ensuring greater transparency and credibility. By actively participating in international carbon markets, the country aims to attract climate finance and incentivize low-carbon technologies. Partnerships formed during the Expo will be instrumental in securing technical and financial support from developed nations.
Moreover, Pakistan will work to integrate climate change education, awareness campaigns, and community-based adaptation programs to foster a culture of sustainability at the grassroots level. This holistic approach aligns with Pakistan’s broader goal of contributing meaningfully to global climate goals while strengthening its internal climate governance.
These initiatives mark a strategic post-Expo roadmap for Pakistan, positioning it as a proactive Global South country advancing resilience and sustainability in the face of escalating climate challenges.
Cast
Moderator
Arfa Shahid
Trade Development Authroity of Pakistan
Dr. Arfa Shahid is a career bureaucrat specializing in international trade development and export promotion. Currently serving as the Assistant Director at the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), Islamabad, she plays a key role in advancing Pakistan's trade agenda on global platforms. At World Expo 2025, Osaka, Dr. Shahid is representing Islamic Republic of Pakistan as the Focal Person for Promotional Events, where she is responsible for organizing activities that highlight Pakistan's economic strengths and cultural heritage. Her expertise includes organizing international trade exhibitions, managing business delegations, and facilitating market access for Pakistani exporters. With a strategic focus on enhancing Pakistan's visibility in international markets, she actively engages with global stakeholders on Goverment level to secure business opportunities and promote bilateral trade. Dr. Shahid is also leading multiple initiatives for empowering women entrepreneurs, ensuring their greater inclusion in trade events and export-led growth initiatives.
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Humera Jahanzeb
Project Coordinator, National Adaptation Plan (NAP)
Humaira Jahanzeb is a programme specialist with significant leadership experience in diverse environments. She has been associated with the development/humanitarian sector for over a decade and has previously worked in programme management roles with the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), the UN system, and the Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement.
Humaira is currently co-managing Pakistan’s Living Indus Initiative—the flagship framework of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination—as well as the National Adaptation Plan (NAP). Both are key national frameworks aimed at guiding Pakistan’s transition toward climate resilience, ecological restoration, and sustainable adaptation planning.
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Speakers
Irfan Abbas Shah
Economic Minister, Embassy of Pakistan, Tokyo
Dr. Irfan Abbas Shah, an accomplished officer of the Inland Revenue Service (IRS), has over 25 years of experience in key operational and policy roles within Pakistan’s federal economic ministries of Revenue, Finance, and Economic Affairs, as well as the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) and the Ministry of Health. He holds a Master's in International Tax & Economic Law from the University of Melbourne as an Australia Awards Scholar and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration from AIOU Islamabad, complemented by extensive training in fiscal policy, public financial management, and revenue forecasting. Dr. Shah's career highlights include managing multilateral portfolios with the World Bank and ADB, leading bilateral development assistance as Joint Secretary (Paris Club/US), and overseeing projects across critical sectors like health, education, transport, agriculture, and energy. His diverse experience is further enriched by international exposure to countries such as Australia, USA, UK, Japan, China, and Turkey, among others.
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Arif Goheer
Executive Director, Global Climate Change Impact Studies Centre (NDC & NAP)
Arif Goheer is the Executive Director of the Global Climate Change Impact Studies Centre (GCISC), Pakistan’s premier climate research institution. His expertise encompasses climate change, agriculture, and water security, influencing global climate frameworks. He contributes to GHG inventories, National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), NDCs, and MRV systems. Furthermore, Goheer holds prominent roles in multiple UN and international organizations and has authored over 100 publications, advancing scientific discourse and policy development globally.
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Khalida Bashir
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination
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Saadullah Ayaz
Member Mitigation PCCA (CC Policy, Adaptation and Mitigation measures)
Saadullah Ayaz has over 25 years of experience of working on climate change at diplomatic, policy and program levels in Pakistan. He has been associated with government organisations and intergovernmental setups, where he designed and implemented various programs aiming at increasing resilience and reducing carbon footprint. His academic background is in Forestry and Environment. He is currently working as Member of the Pakistan Climate Change Authority.
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Aisha Humera Ch.
Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination
Ms. Aisha Humera Chaudhary is a career Civil Servant from the Secretariat Group. During her 30 years of service, Ms. Aisha Humera Chaudhary has worked on various key positions in the Federal Government including Economic Affairs Division, Ministry of Food Security and Economic Counselor Pakistan Mission to the WTO. She has been dealing with International trade matters as well as bilateral trade with United States, European Union, Central Asia Regions, Africa and Middle East. During her posting in Geneva, she worked on agriculture and trade negotiations, environment and development issues. She has served Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication for two and a half years as Additional Secretary before joining the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination.
Ms. Aisha Humera Chaudhary holds degrees of Executive Masters in International Negotiation & Policy Making from Graduate Institute Geneva Executive Education, Mastering Trade Policy from Harvard University, USA and M.Sc-Development Management from London School of Economics, UK
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The Future of Community and Mobility Week
Panel discussion on climate change
A pannel discussion on Climate Change, Carbon Credits and its challenges, and role of Pakistan. The program will include discussion on the ongoing practices in the world related to the mitigation of the effects of climate change, and what the countries can learn from it. It will also include measures being taken in Pakistan.*All speakers except Dr. Arfa Shahid will attend online.
-
2025.05.16[Fri]
10:00～12:30
(Venue Open 09:30)
- Theme Weeks Studio
- * Programme times and content are subject to change. Any changes will be announced on this website and via the ticket booking system.
- * The schedule is subject to change depending on the organiser's circumstances.
OTHER PROGRAM
The Future of Community and Mobility Week
