Federal Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid has said in this age of globalization it is extremely important that cross border synergies be developed in all scientific and technological fields so that research, experiences and ideas can be shared and innovative solutions found for common issues/problems being faced by nations.
Zahid Hamid said this while addressing the concluding session of regional workshop on “Challenges in Water Security to meet the Growing Food Requirement” jointly organized by the AASSA (Association of Academics and Societies of Sciences in Asia and Pakistan Academy of Sciences here on Wednesday.
He said that the critical role of water in Pakistan’s sustainable development cannot be over-emphasized.
Pakistan is one of the most water-stressed countries in the world and is rapidly heading towards becoming a water-scarce country. Per capita water availability has sharply declined from 2,900 m3 in 1981 to around1,100 m3 in 2010 for current population of more than 180 million, he said.
He appreciated AASSA and Pakistan Academy of Sciences for organizing this workshop on the important issue i-e Water & Food Security.
The Federal Minister said that this workshop is so important as it is based on some of the most pressing and daunting challenges facing Pakistan today-the challenges of water and food security.
He said the country faces numerous challenges in the development and management of its scarce water resources, including a dwindling water resource base, decreasing water storage, low water efficiency and productivity, over-exploitation and deteriorating quality of surface and ground water, and significantly the potential threat of climate change.
Zahid Hamid said water resources are inextricably linked with climate; which is why projected climate change has such serious implications for Pakistan’s water resources, adding that freshwater resources in Pakistan are based on snow and glacier melt and monsoon rains, both highly sensitive to climate change. He also said we will implement the recommendations presented in this workshop.
The workshop was attended by national and international scientists and members of Pakistan Academy of Sciences and AASSA.
At the end, Zahid Hamid distributes certificates among the participants of the workshop.
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