The Climate Vulnerable Forum - V20 Group of Finance Ministers (CVF-V20) and the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) today announced a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating Pakistan’s Climate Prosperity Plan and enhancing regional cooperation on sustainable development and climate resilience.

The announcement followed a high-level forum titled “China’s Role in Advancing Green Development Across the Global South,” gathering government leaders, diplomats, and climate finance experts to explore collaboration opportunities with China, particularly through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of IRS, underscored the urgency of collective climate action, advocating integrated policies and clean technology investments to combat regional pollution and achieve sustainable development. Ms. Sara Jane Ahmed, Managing Director of CVF-V20, highlighted green development as both an environmental necessity and economic opportunity for the Global South.

"Deepening South-South cooperation can scale locally driven, financially sound, globally relevant solutions," she stated. Keynote speaker Zulfiqar Younas, Additional Secretary of Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change, noted Pakistan’s significant progress, adding over 13,000 MW of renewable energy capacity and advancing carbon market policies.

He emphasized Pakistan’s strategic partnership with China for clean air technologies and disaster risk finance. Political Counselor Wang Shengjie, from the Embassy of China, detailed China’s leadership in clean energy, highlighting substantial investments and commitments towards achieving carbon neutrality. He praised Pakistan’s proactive climate diplomacy and encouraged stronger bilateral collaboration.

H.E. Erik Solheim, Vice-president of BRI-International Green Development Coalition, commended China's remarkable transformation into a global clean energy leader. He urged the Global South to leverage China’s expertise and resources for sustainable, people-centric growth. During the panel discussion moderated by Regional Director South Asia CVF-V, Hamza Haroon, experts emphasized Pakistan-China green cooperation.

Dr. Khalid Waleed advocated for inclusive solar solutions and clean hydrogen production. Mustafa Hyder Sayed stressed the importance of focused green collaboration and climate investment strategies with China. Red Constantino underscored the significance of pragmatic South-South partnerships and the vital role China can play, while Muhammad Faisal Sharif highlighted the impact of China's BRI investments in boosting Pakistan’s solar energy capacity.

In closing, Hamza Haroon, Regional Director for South Asia at CVF-V20, affirmed CVF-V20’s commitment to continuing dialogues, consultations, and concrete actions to realize Pakistan’s climate prosperity plan in partnership with IRS and other key stakeholders.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)