Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, addressed the COP30 side event titled “Upscaling the Green Pakistan Programme (UGPP): A Success Story” through a special video message on 20 November 2025.
The event, organized by the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination, showcased Pakistan’s achievements in large-scale forest restoration, ecosystem revival, and community-driven conservation under the Upscaling Green Pakistan Programme.
In his keynote remarks, Dr. Musadik Malik stated that global climate discussions revolve around greenhouse gas emissions, measured in carbon dioxide equivalents. He emphasized that the foremost need is to reduce these emissions and expand natural systems that can sequester carbon at scale.
Drawing attention to the role of nature-based solutions, the Minister said, “Carbon sequestration requires factories that absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. That factory is a tree. We are here to celebrate climate action, the reduction of carbon burdens, and the forests that make it possible.”
Dr. Malik highlighted that forests play a dual role, not only in mitigation but also in adaptation, helping communities withstand the growing impacts of climate change.
The Minister noted that through the Upscaling Green Pakistan Programme, Pakistan has successfully restored vast tracts of degraded land by planting billions of trees, transforming previously barren areas into thriving ecosystems. He emphasized that the programme has also helped communities become more climate-aware and more involved in preserving and safeguarding local forests.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment, Dr. Malik stated, “We stand with our forests and with all the forests of the world because we stand with the climate, and we are determined to protect it.”
A short documentary prepared by the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination was screened at the event, highlighting field success stories, community participation, and ecological transformation under UGPP.
The session also featured a panel discussion and was attended by climate experts, representatives from international organizations, development partners, and members of global civil society engaged in forest restoration and climate resilience.
