CSCCC

ISSI, in collaboration with the Embassy of France and CSCCC, hosted the Pre-COP31 Dialogue “From Paris to Antalya,” bringing together policymakers, diplomats and experts to discuss glacier protection, climate finance and Arctic–HKH scientific cooperation. #COP31

Federal Minister Senator Dr. Musadik Malik called for moving beyond climate declarations to action. At ISSI’s Pre-COP31 Dialogue, he proposed a Green Virtual University, funding for green technology start-ups and a Green Cloud for publicly funded research. #COP31

DG ISSI Amb. Moin ul Haque warned that glacier retreat threatens Pakistan’s water, food and energy security. He urged stronger Arctic–HKH research partnerships, early warning systems and international attention to cryosphere risks, including at COP32.

Ms. Aisha Khan, Chief Executive CSCCC, said the cryosphere remains underrepresented in global climate negotiations despite its vital role in water security. She called for sustained Arctic–Third Pole dialogue and a stronger international framework for glacier protection.

Mr. Jean-Charles Allard, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of France, reaffirmed France’s support for Pakistan’s climate resilience. Citing the Paris Call for Glaciers and Poles, he stressed joint research, monitoring and international cooperation to protect the cryosphere.

Mr. Umer Siddique, DG (UN), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, urged accessible adaptation finance and stronger loss-and-damage support. He called for greater recognition of cryosphere risks, real-time hydrological data sharing and transboundary early warning cooperation.

Amb. Shafqat Kakakhel, Chair of CSCCC’s Board, urged COP31 to deliver on existing pledges. He called for accessible, grant-based climate finance and stronger South Asian cooperation, including through ICIMOD, to protect vulnerable mountain ecosystems.

Mr. Purushottam Dhungel, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Nepal, said scientific data must move faster than disasters. He called for real-time cross-border hydrological data sharing, joint risk mapping and transboundary multi-hazard early warning systems.

Mr. Amir Khan Goraya, CEO NDRMF, urged a shift from responding to disasters to investing in prevention. He emphasised risk-informed financing, community-led preparedness, insurance and cross-border cooperation to protect Pakistan’s vulnerable populations.

Dr. Faisal Mueen Qamer of ICIMOD said glacier and snow changes must inform water, infrastructure and disaster planning across the HKH. He urged sustained funding for early warning services, community stewardship and shared river-basin assessments.

Dr. Pascal Emmanuel Egli, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, drew lessons from Arctic cooperation for the HKH: shared hazard data, joint monitoring and stronger early warnings. He stressed that scientific systems must also draw on local and indigenous knowledge.