Key Points
- Advisor to the Prime Minister represented Pakistan at FAO World Food Forum
- Pakistan’s Pine restoration project wins UN World Restoration Flagship Award
- Advisor Shah Defends Indus Water Treaty in national statement at Water Forum
- Pakistan reviewed bilateral cooperation with FAO, IFAD, WFP and explored new collaboration avenues
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan gained international recognition for environmental restoration and water diplomacy during a high-profile UN forum in Rome this month.
Advisor to the Prime Minister (APM) Syed Tauqir Hussain Shah led the country’s delegation to the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) World Food Forum, holding strategic meetings with top officials, including the Director-General of FAO, Vice President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and Assistant Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP).
During the visit, Dr Shah met heads of six FAO departments covering food and nutrition, agrifood economics, animal production, innovation, climate change, biodiversity, and environment. These interactions reviewed existing cooperation and explored new opportunities for joint initiatives in agriculture, food security, and climate resilience.
Pakistan’s Chilgoza Pine restoration project received the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration World Restoration Flagship Award, recognising efforts to restore degraded forests and promote sustainable livelihoods. Dr Shah thanked FAO for the award and presented local Chilgoza pine samples to senior FAO officials as a symbol of Pakistan’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
At the Rome Water Forum, Dr. Shah delivered Pakistan’s national statement, strongly defending the strategic Indus Waters Treaty and emphasising the need for fair management of transboundary water resources.
In a separate ceremony hosted by the Pakistani Embassy, Dr Shah presided over an extraordinary Kashmir Black Day event and presented shields of appreciation to Italian citizens and the Pakistani community for achievements in climate change, media, scientific research, interfaith harmony, politics, journalism, sports, and social services. Italian former MEP Fabio Massimo Castaldo was conferred Pakistan’s Sitara-e-Imtiaz for his advocacy on Kashmir.
Dr Shah also announced the establishment of an Honorary Consulate of Pakistan in Naples and engaged with Pakistani players from the Italian cricket team, inviting them to participate in a Bilateral Friendship Cup in Pakistan alongside the Italian national team.
The participation at the Water Forum and high-level FAO engagements reinforced Pakistan’s ties with Rome-based UN organisations while strengthening bridges with the Italian civil society and diaspora.
