From Cryosphere Risk to Coastal Resilience: Financing Disaster Risk Reduction Across Pakistan
Organized by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) and the Civil Society Coalition for Climate Change (CSCCC), in collaboration with the Embassy of France, the Pre-COP31 Dialogue, “From Paris to Antalya: Building Bridges Between the Arctic and the Hindu Kush–Karakoram–Himalaya Region,” brought together key stakeholders to strengthen climate action and regional cooperation ahead of COP31.
Mr. Amir Khan Goraya, CEO, National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF), highlighted the need to move beyond disaster response towards proactive, risk-informed investments that prevent losses and strengthen resilience.
From the accelerating degradation of the Hindu Kush–Karakoram–Himalaya cryosphere to glacial lake outburst floods, downstream flooding and coastal inundation, Pakistan’s climate risks are interconnected and demand an integrated response.
NDRMF’s approach centers on risk-informed financing, stronger early warning and preparedness, integrated resilience planning, and mobilizing climate finance to protect vulnerable communities and safeguard development gains.
The message ahead of COP31 is clear: Risk information must guide investment. Financing must priorities prevention. Resilience must reach the most vulnerable.
Pakistan must advance the case for accessible climate finance, technology transfer and stronger regional cooperation to turn climate risk into informed action and resilience investments.
(26 October, 2026).
