Federal Minister for Climate Change, Musadik Masood Malik is leading Pakistan’s participation at ‘Arctic Circle’ Rome Forum in his ongoing visit to Italy from 2-5 March 2026. He has delivered at its Plenary, ‘National Statement’ themed ‘View from Pakistan: Climate & Poles’, underscoring vulnerabilities to devastating impact of melting glaciers, rising sea levels and extreme weather.
Minister Malik spoke at Panel Discussion on ‘Science Diplomacy for Third Pole’, where he stressed science-based cooperation, climate justice and stronger linkages between research institutions and policymakers to address shared environmental risks. He also participated at ‘Polar Dialogue’ and ‘High-Level Deliberations’ at National Research Council of Italy (CNR).
Embassy organised bilaterals on margins of Rome Forum with H.E. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Chairman Arctic Circle (former President Iceland), H.E. Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Chair Polar Dialogue (former PM Iceland), H.E. Ms. Vivian Motzfeldt, Foreign Minister Greenland, H.E. Ms. Mona Fortier, Parliamentary Secretary Canadian Foreign Ministry, Mr. Eivind Vad Petersson, State Secretary, Norwegian Foreign Ministry and Ms. Marie Anne Coninsx, former EU Ambassador on Arctic Issues.
Hon’ble Minister also interacted with H.E. Anna Maria Bernini, Italian Minister for Universities & Research and Mr. Marco Rusconi, Director, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) from Italian MoFA.
High-level academic interaction for the Hon’ble Minister at ‘La Sapienza’, Italy’s largest public University, with Prof. Giuseppe Ciccarone, Pro-Rector Int’l Cooperation and Prof. Rodolfo Negri, Head of Charles Darwin Department of Biology & Biotechnology was also organised by the Mission. He visited research facilities and held discussion on potential academic linkages with Pakistan.
During his interventions and interactions, Minister proposed ‘Virtual Green University’ to connect researchers, students and innovators; ‘Climate Risk Capital Fund’, to finance young climate-tech entrepreneurs and startups; and ‘Green Intellectual Property’ for equitable access and shared climate innovation.
Minister Malik also participated in a discussion hosted by President CNR, Andrea Lenzi, at Italian National Center for Research where he also interacted with leading Italian scientists and researchers on biodiversity, cryosphere studies and environmental sustainability.
Minister Malik’s media interaction was also organised with ‘SkyTg24 TV’. He outlined Pakistan’s perspective on climate diplomacy and asserted enhanced global cooperation to address cascading impacts of climate change.
Appreciating the presentation accorded to President and chairperson Arctic Circle, Pakistan has been extended extraordinary invitation to participate as Key-Note Speaker at forthcoming Plenary Session of ‘Arctic Cricle’ forthcoming Assembly scheduled for October 8-10, 2026 in Reykjavik, Iceland. Pakistan’s participation at Rome Forum was a first and came under a special invitation.
Visiting Minister’s deep & diverse, full spectrum engagements were organised & coordinated by Embassy’s 3rd Secretary Shahnawaz Khan, qualitatively promoting Pakistan’s credentials and its narrative on climate change among a distinguished field of policy and decision makers, Researchers, Academia Officials and Media.
