Karachi and Dhaka are set to be the primary urban centers in the Asia-Pacific region receiving climate migrants, with an estimated 5.4 million individuals moving to these cities by 2050 if global temperatures rise by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, according to the report of United Nations.

The report, titled “Urban Transformation in Asia and the Pacific: From Growth to Resilience,” published by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP), indicates that Dhaka will absorb about 3.07 million climate migrants, while Karachi will see an influx of approximately 2.4 million people.

The study is part of the agenda for the upcoming 81st annual session of UN-ESCAP, which will be held in Bangkok next month. It examines both the obstacles and opportunities that cities in the region face, encompassing a diverse range of urban settlements from massive metropolises to smaller towns.

The report highlights the challenges that Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, currently faces due to fragmented governance, as it consistently ranks low on the Global Livability Survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

The lack of coordination among various authorities often leads to inadequate infrastructure management, contributing to disasters such as the significant floods experienced in August 2020.

Currently, Asia and the Pacific account for one-third of the world’s migrants, totaling around 66.6 million people. With urbanization on the rise, the region is projected to add another 1.2 billion city dwellers by 2050, marking a 50% increase in its urban population.

The pressing issue of climate change adaptation and mitigation remains critical, as cities must provide support for those impacted by climate-induced migration.

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The report calls on regional governments to enhance collaborative efforts to address environmental and socioeconomic vulnerabilities, advocating for the establishment of urban networks to share knowledge and best practices.

This cooperation is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and meeting the objectives of the Paris Agreement regarding climate action.