Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South

The Leaders / Representatives of the UN member states and Executive Heads of IGOs
made their respective policy interventions on ‘Climate Justice Diplomacy’ at the HighLevel Segment of United Nations Climate Change Conference at Dubai.
The Executive Director, Ambassador Dr. M. Nafees Zakaria, of the Commission on
Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS)_ an
Intergovernmental Organization of 27 member states, was also invited.
Ambassador Zakaria stated that the countries in the Global South, particularly the Indus
Basin States having population of about 300 million, are grappling with the consequences
of climate change. He noted that the changing climate is causing security risks
intrinsically linked to the stress on resources, which warrants urgent action. While
acknowledging the fact that industrial activities have degraded environment over
decades, he noted that wars destroy environment instantly on much larger scale. He
underlined that Militaries, contribute 5.5% of GHGs emissions but remained exempted
from accountability in Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreements. He stressed the need of an
impact assessment of wars and military exercises to make the countries concerned
responsible for the damage caused.
The Executive Director COMSATS stated that a critical review is needed to ascertain how
effectively COP process has helped in compensating and enabling the countries least
responsible for the environmental damage. He considered it important that the
technologically advanced and economically powerful nations share greater responsibility,
but also highlighted the need for greater efforts by developing states. He applauded the
establishment of ‘Loss and Damage Fund’ and hoped for its early operationalization.
Ambassador Zakaria called for leveraging the collective strength of world leaders,
national policy makers, and scientists, under this new era of climate diplomacy to ensure
a shared promising future. He stated that Intergovernmental Organizations like
COMSATS can play an important role in this regard. Ambassador Zakaria informed that
COMSATS, having dedicated Centre for Climate & Sustainability (CCCS) with
Membership of 20 countries and 24 Institutes, organizes Programs for awareness,
capacity building, policy initiatives, and research & development.
Islamabad, December 10, 2023