A meeting of the Executive Committee of the IUCN Pakistan National Committee (PNC) was held on January 31, 2020 at the Islamabad Programme Office.
The meeting was chaired by Mr. Roomi S. Hayat, CEO of Institute of Rural Management. Mr. Malik Amin Aslam, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, Government of Pakistan also participated in the meeting in the capacity of the IUCN global Vice President and Regional Councillor.
Other members of the Executive Committee in attendance were: Mrs. Amra Javed (SHEHRI); Ms. Meher Marker Noshirwani, Regional Vice Chair of the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP); Ms. Robeela Bangash (HRDN); Mr. Zia-ur-Rehman (AWAZ Foundation).
Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, IUCN Country Representative welcomed Mr. Roomi S. Hayat and the other PNC Executive Members and congratulated them on being elected for the term 2020-2021. Mr. Cheema hoped that IUCN would be able to benefit from the experience of Mr. Roomi Hayat and the other Executive Committee members. He also shared the information on IUCN World Conservation Congress 2020 with the members.
Mr. Roomi Hayat proposed that Pakistan National Committee should focus on one or two top priority areas on which it can work during its two years term. The workplan for the year 2020-2021 was also adopted by the Executive Members.
Mr. Malik Amin Aslam congratulated Mr. Room Hayat on his election as the Pakistan National Chairperson and the other Executive Committee members. He also congratulated the Pakistan members on a successful IUCN Regional Conservation Forum in Pakistan that has helped in enhancing the image of Pakistan. He said that a successful Regional Conservation Forum also manifests the commitment of the Government of Pakistan and its priorities towards environment. He also mentioned of launching of electric vehicle and policy of the government on electric vehicles which is a step towards mitigation of vehicle pollution in the country.
Besides, he said that travel advisory for foreigners has recently been changed that presents an excellent prospect for tourism in the country. He mentioned that the government has launched “Ecosystem Restoration Fund” and there are a lot of partners that are ready to join hands with the government.
The members proposed and outlined priority areas to work on that include: plastic pollution and solid waste management; conservation of green turtles along the Pakistani coast; urban forestry; mangroves conservation; and promotion of alternative energy.
