Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Mr. Rana Tanveer Hussain, represented Pakistan at the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) 2026 in Berlin, where he highlighted Pakistan’s priorities on water resilience, sustainable agriculture and food security in the context of climate change and growing global water stress.
Addressing the Forum under the theme “Water, Food, Our Future,” the Federal Minister emphasized Pakistan’s historical reliance on water resources dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization, while underscoring the unprecedented challenges the country faces today. He drew attention to the increasing frequency of floods, droughts and extreme heat, noting that these climate-induced shocks have severely affected agricultural productivity, rural livelihoods and national food security.
Mr. Rana Tanveer Hussain stated that Pakistan’s food system is heavily dependent on the Indus Basin, which supports agriculture, industry and ecosystems for over 240 million people. He noted that recent devastating floods and prolonged dry spells have exposed the vulnerability of this system and reinforced the urgent need for a shift towards water resilience. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s position that water security is fundamental to food security and that cooperation over shared water resources is essential for peace and stability.
Outlining Pakistan’s policy direction, the Federal Minister highlighted ongoing reforms to improve water productivity in agriculture through high-efficiency irrigation systems, precision land levelling, climate-smart agronomic practices and the promotion of drought- and heat-tolerant seed varieties. He also stressed the importance of ecosystem-based approaches, including soil health improvement, watershed rehabilitation, agroforestry, wetland restoration and groundwater recharge, to build long-term resilience into agricultural landscapes.
The Federal Minister further highlighted the Government of Pakistan’s efforts to promote the safe and science-based reuse of treated wastewater for appropriate agricultural and peri-urban uses, as well as the country’s potential to develop a sustainable blue bioeconomy. He noted that fisheries, aquaculture and coastal value chains offer significant opportunities for economic growth, improved nutrition and job creation, particularly for youth and women in riverine and coastal communities.
On governance and equity, Mr. Rana Tanveer Hussain emphasized the need for integrated and inclusive water planning to balance competing demands from agriculture, cities, industry, energy and ecosystems. He stressed that predictable, fair and rights-based water allocation systems are essential to protect smallholder farmers, reduce grievances and maintain social and economic stability.
Addressing transboundary water challenges, the Federal Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to international water law and highlighted the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 as a vital framework for regional water stability. He expressed serious concern over India’s April 2025 announcement to unilaterally hold the Treaty in abeyance, stating that water from the Indus river system is a lifeline for Pakistan. He emphasized that Pakistan continues to pursue dispute resolution mechanisms provided under the Treaty and called upon the international community to support the restoration and full implementation of the Treaty in its letter and spirit.
On the sidelines of the Forum, Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain met Mr. Jean-Marie Paugam, Deputy Director General of the World Trade Organization, where issues of mutual interest were discussed with a particular focus on agriculture and food systems. The meeting reflected Pakistan’s continued engagement with multilateral institutions on trade and development issues relevant to its agriculture sector.
In addition, the Federal Minister participated as a panellist in the expert session titled “Sustainable Irrigation Requires a Water-Energy-Food-Environment Nexus Approach.” During the discussion, he candidly highlighted the interlinked challenges of water availability, energy use, environmental protection and climate change, while responding to questions from the audience. He reiterated the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to promoting and implementing environment-friendly technologies aimed at conserving water, increasing agricultural productivity and strengthening national food security.
Concluding his engagements at GFFA 2026, Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to work with international partners, research institutions, the private sector and civil society to advance water resilience, climate-smart agriculture and inclusive food systems, and to transform water from a source of risk into a foundation for sustainable development and peace.
