PM UNGA Address Climate Crisis and Floods – Pakistan Condemns Deadly Climate Injustice
In his PM UNGA Address Climate Crisis and Floods, Pakistan’s Prime Minister declared a climate emergency after devastating floods, urging global climate justice and finance.
The PM UNGA Address Climate Crisis and Floods was one of the most emotional and powerful speeches delivered at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Pakistan’s Prime Minister highlighted the devastating human and economic toll of climate disasters, drawing global attention to the nation’s ongoing struggle with catastrophic flooding.
He warned the world that Pakistan, despite contributing less than 1% of global carbon emissions, is paying a disproportionately high price for the climate crisis.
PM UNGA Address Climate Crisis and Floods Highlights
In his address, the Prime Minister recalled the USD 34 billion losses from the 2022 floods, when nearly one-third of the country was submerged. He stated that Pakistan is now enduring another mega flood in 2025, which has destroyed thousands of villages, killed more than a thousand people, displaced millions, and caused billions of dollars in damages to crops, livestock, and infrastructure.
He told the assembly:
“Our nation stands united in these testing times. We are dealing with this calamity with resilience, but the catastrophic floods of 2022 and 2025 are glaring examples of loss and damage caused by climate change.”
Pakistan’s Flood Losses: 2022 and 2025 Catastrophes
The floods of 2022 and 2025 stand as historic climate disasters. Together, they illustrate the urgent need for global climate adaptation and mitigation strategies.
- 2022 Floods:
- USD 34 billion in damages
- Over 1,700 deaths
- 33 million people affected
- 2025 Floods:
- Over 1,000 deaths (so far)
- Millions displaced again
- Billions lost in crops and livestock
These back-to-back calamities underline the loss and damage debate currently at the forefront of global climate negotiations.
A Climate Emergency Declaration
The Prime Minister officially declared a climate emergency in Pakistan, a move that reflects both the gravity of the crisis and the government’s intention to mobilize resources for adaptation and recovery.
He emphasized that while Pakistan is committed to strengthening climate resilience and investing in clean energy, the scale of the crisis is beyond what a developing country can handle alone.
Inequality in Global Emissions and Impact
A central theme of the PM UNGA Address Climate Crisis and Floods was the climate injustice faced by Pakistan and other vulnerable nations.
- Pakistan’s emissions: less than 1% of global total
- Impact: among the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries
The Prime Minister declared:
“This is not fairness, this is not equality, this is not justice. How can a country like Pakistan, suffering flood disasters every year, be forced into debt to survive a crisis it did not create?”
Call for Climate Finance and Justice
The PM urged developed nations—who are primarily responsible for greenhouse gas emissions—to fulfill their commitments on climate finance.
He warned that relying on loans and debt would “destroy economies” of climate-vulnerable countries like Pakistan. Instead, he called for:
- Debt-free climate finance mechanisms
- Operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund
- Increased support for adaptation and resilience projects
This aligns with ongoing UNFCCC climate negotiations, where climate-vulnerable nations have consistently demanded stronger commitments from wealthier countries.
Building Resilience and Clean Energy Expansion
Despite these challenges, the PM reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to:
- Expanding the use of clean and renewable energy
- Strengthening disaster management systems
- Promoting sustainable agriculture and water management
He underscored that national resilience is being built alongside recovery, but without international solidarity, Pakistan cannot sustain the costs of repeated disasters.
International Reactions and Support Needed
The PM UNGA Address Climate Crisis and Floods received significant attention from international media and climate advocacy groups. Global leaders acknowledged the urgency of Pakistan’s plea, though concrete commitments remain to be seen.
Several organizations, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and World Bank, have pledged to continue supporting Pakistan’s climate adaptation programs.
For Pakistan, however, the real test lies in whether wealthy nations honor their climate finance pledges, particularly the promised USD 100 billion annually for developing countries.
Conclusion: Urgent Global Responsibility
The PM UNGA Address Climate Crisis and Floods stands as a historic reminder of the urgency of global climate justice. Pakistan’s Prime Minister made it clear that resilience, no matter how strong, is not enough without international support and fairness.
The catastrophic floods of 2022 and 2025 are not just Pakistan’s problem; they are a warning to the world. Climate disasters know no borders, and unless collective action is taken, no nation will remain untouched.
As the Prime Minister said at the UNGA, the question is no longer whether climate change is real, but whether the world is willing to respond with justice, equity, and responsibility.
