RIYADH: Prime Minister Imran Khan stressed that the international community needs to work pragmatically to preserve peace and security, avert a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan in a meeting on Monday with American diplomat John Kerry.

The United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, John Kerry, called on Prime Minister Imran Khan in Riyadh, on the sidelines of the Middle East Green Initiative Summit.

According to the Prime Minister Office, the premier underscored the need for positive engagement and release of economic resources and financial assets for the welfare of the Afghan people.

Highlighting the priority attached by the government of Pakistan to Climate Change, the Prime Minister underscored the need to reinforce national as well as global emphasis against this existential threat.

The Prime Minister also highlighted Pakistan's experience of launching nature-based solutions to address the environmental challenges, including the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami project.

Reviewing the ongoing collaboration between Pakistan and the United States on climate change and environment, Imran Khan expressed satisfaction on the recently held inaugural meeting of the US-Pakistan Climate and Environment Working Group.

Imran Khan underscored that Pakistan and the United States should continue sharing ideas, expertise and technology to optimize mutually beneficial opportunities in the fight against climate change.

The Prime Minister also encouraged the Special Envoy to further explore possibility of enhanced bilateral engagement through the US International Development Finance Corporation to support investment in climate mitigation, resilience, and adaptation in Pakistan and the developing world.

The Special Envoy John Kerry agreed that Pakistan and the US share a longstanding relationship, which should be further reinforced in areas of mutual convergence, including climate and environment.

He acknowledged various initiatives undertaken by Pakistan to fight climate change.

The two sides agreed to work in close coordination to determine next steps in building an effective framework of cooperation in this regard.

PM Imran, Saudi Crown Prince discuss Afghanistan situation

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on the sidelines of the “Middle East Green Initiative” (MGI) Summit here in the Saudi capital.

The Prime Minister stressed the importance of active and constructive engagement of the international community to help alleviate the sufferings of the Afghan people.

Khan expressed concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and hoped that the international community would take urgent steps to prevent a humanitarian crisis and economic collapse in Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister paid tribute to the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, in the progress and development of the Kingdom.

He lauded Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the Saudi Vision 2030, which aimed at transforming the socio-economic development of the Kingdom in the 21st century.

The Prime Minister warmly congratulated the Crown Prince on successfully organizing the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) Summit on Climate Change.

He added that the Summit clearly demonstrated the commitment of the Saudi leadership to take tangible steps for effectively tackling the challenge of Climate Change.

The Prime Minister noted that the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative aligned closely with Pakistan’s Climate Change Initiatives – ‘Clean and Green Pakistan’ and the ‘Ten Billion Tree Tsunami’.

He reiterated Pakistan’s support in the implementation of these Green Initiatives.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s deep fraternal relations with Saudi Arabia and highlighted the significance Pakistan attached to its strategic ties with the Kingdom.

He also expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its steadfast support to Pakistan at every crucial juncture.

The two leaders agreed to further strengthen bilateral cooperation across all fields.

The two leaders agreed to closely coordinate efforts to address these challenges.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are bound in a fraternal relationship marked by mutual trust and understanding, close cooperation, and an abiding tradition of supporting each other.

This is the second visit of the Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia this year. He earlier visited the Kingdom in May 2021.—APP