British Commissioner in Pakistan Jane Marriott OBE on Tuesday announced a doubling of its investment in Pakistan to tackle climate change, enhance climate resilience, and promote adaptation.
Addressing an event arranged by the British High Commission on King’s Birthday Party to celebrate the birthday of His Majesty King Charles who turns 75 he said this commitment aligns with the UK’s advocacy for a ‘Loss and Damage’ fund at COP 28, aimed at supporting climate-vulnerable countries.
In a notable event hosted by the British High Commission, attendees were treated to a captivating performance by the Band of the Artillery Company, led by Major Bruce Miller and Band Sergeant Major Stuart Duncan.
The Artillery Company, established by King Henry VIII in 1537, stands as the oldest regiment in the British Army, with the current Captain-General being King Charles.
The theme of the evening revolved around environmental sustainability and climate change; a cause championed by King Charles for the last 50 years. Despite being known for his keen interest in traditional music, the King graciously approved of the band’s modern cover version of ‘Pasoori,’ adding a touch of humor to the proceedings.
Reflecting on King Charles’ advocacy for environmental sustainability, the British High Commissioner underscored the urgency of addressing climate vulnerabilities, particularly in Pakistan.
“The UK is also pushing for a more substantial, greener, and fairer international financial response to climate change,” she said.
She recalled that the devastating floods last year affected a third of the country, impacting around 33 million people and highlighting the nation’s susceptibility to climate-related challenges.
The British Commissioner also announced the UK’s collaboration with the Global System for Mobile Communications to expand the AI-based ‘Early Warning Forest Fire Detection System’ project.
This expansion will cover more areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the Federal Capital Territory, aiming to minimize the risk of forest fires and safeguard lives and Pakistan’s biodiversity.
The British High Commissioner highlighted other collaborative initiatives, including the expansion of the Chevening scholarship program through new private partnerships and the establishment of the online ‘Pakistan Museum of Food’ in collaboration with Google and the Save and Observe Children’s Health (SOCH) Foundation.
Acknowledging the collaborative efforts, the British High Commissioner expressed gratitude to the dedicated team led by Russ McPartland and supported by the High Commission and British Council teams for organizing the event.