Asia-Pacific parliamentarians call on carbon polluters to reduce emissions
Dozens of parliamentarians from the Asia-Pacific region have called on the big carbon polluters to shoulder more responsibility for climate change and to meet their obligations under the Paris Agreement. The parliamentarians met in Islamabad, Pakistan, on 13-14 September, for the Third Regional Seminar for the parliaments of the Asia-Pacific region on Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Jointly organized by the IPU and the National Assembly of Pakistan, this seminar is the third of its kind. It builds on the conclusions of the previous seminars, hosted by the Parliament of Viet Nam in 2017 and the Parliament of Mongolia in 2018, as well as the IPU’s virtual SDG events.
The seminar took place against the backdrop of devastating floods in Pakistan that have left more than 1,100 dead and 1,600 injured, underlining the disproportionate effect of climate change on poorer countries.
In his inaugural address, National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf urged parliamentarians from the Asia-Pacific region to support flood-ravaged Pakistan.
IPU President Duarte Pacheco saluted the efforts made to help millions of people in the wake of the torrential rains and super floods. He hoped that the seminar would mobilize more international support.
In the seminar’s outcome document, the participants underlined how parliaments can drive significant change toward sustainable development by passing enforceable laws; monitoring their implementation and ensuring that governments are accountable to the people for national progress on the SDGs.
Participants stressed the need to strengthen interparliamentary cooperation and coordination. They asked the IPU to facilitate further exchanges among parliaments to combine forces and accelerate action towards achieving the SDGs.
©MPs from the Asia Pacific Region meet in Islamabad
