Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: “China is emerging as a prominent leader in pro-environment policies formulation and implementation. It keeps environment and inclusive development at the heart of high-quality development. China is also trying to replicate these policies at global level through Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It is expected that Two Sessions will further expediate the process. It will give new impetus to green solutions for high-quality sustainable construction of BRI,” highlighted Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development.
During China’s ongoing Two Sessions, i.e., National People’s Congress (NPC) and Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the international community is watching and reading China with greater interest. As the world’s second largest economy, China’s policy framework is closely linked to global markets.
It is good to note that China inducted members for newly established group of CPPCC national committee on environment and resource, which Shakeel called a healthy and encouraging sign for the world at a time when it is facing multiple and serious challenges on climate change and the environmental fronts.
In a recent interview with Gwadar Pro, Shakeel Ramay said that the Belt and Road Initiative can help the world achieve the Sustainable Development Goals through people-centered and environment-friendly development, while driving global economic recovery. From the second forum of BRI, China has declared green growth and development are prime goals of BRI.
He added that “to achieve the goals, China launched numerous programs and platforms including Belt and Road Initiative International Green Development Coalition, etc.
The Coalition is promoting and leading policy dialogue, communication, knowledge and information sharing, and green technology exchange, etc.”
China has signed more than 50 eco-environmental protection cooperation documents with relevant countries and international organizations. Through the implementation of the “Green Silk Road Ambassadors Program”, 3000 talents have been trained for more than 120 BRI countries, according to Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman.
Shakeel is quite hopeful that being an important partner country in BRI, Pakistan will be able to benefit from the green development agenda of BRI. It is extremely important for Pakistan, as Pakistan is highly vulnerable to climate change.
Shakeel said that “as China’s all-weather strategic partner, Pakistan is definitely looking very keenly towards China on how it can learn from Chinese development experience and how it can attract green investment under CPEC .”
