ISLAMABAD, Oct 27 (APP):Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday stressed the urgent need for timely and effective use of space technology to protect vulnerable communities from the devastating impacts of climate change and natural disasters.
Addressing the inaugural session of an international conference organised in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) here, the minister said satellite-based information and early warning systems could significantly reduce loss of life and economic damage caused by disasters such as cyclones, floods and glacial melting.
He highlighted the disproportionate burden Pakistan bears from climate change despite contributing less than one per cent to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Referring to the devastating floods of 2022 and 2025, he said the country had suffered economic losses exceeding
$30 billion.
He expressed concern that international partners and financial institutions had failed to provide adequate new grant financing for reconstruction and recovery, instead proposing the repurposing of previously approved loans for education and health. He termed the approach inconsistent with the principles of climate justice.
The minister called for urgent reforms in the international financial architecture established after the Second World War, saying developing countries disproportionately affected by climate-related disasters must receive fair and accessible financial assistance.
Vulnerable nations, he stressed, should not be pushed further into debt to address a crisis they had contributed little to creating.
Highlighting Pakistan’s progress in space technology, Ahsan Iqbal said the country had successfully launched five satellites over the past 18 months, reflecting its growing commitment to strengthening national capabilities in space science and technology.
He also announced that Pakistan was preparing to send its first astronaut into space in the near future.
He emphasised that space-based information must become an integral part of national development planning, particularly in the design and construction of critical infrastructure, including bridges, roads and hospitals.
Incorporating satellite data and risk assessments into development projects, he said, would improve resilience, reduce vulnerabilities and ensure more sustainable investments.
The minister outlined key priorities for strengthening the practical application of space technology, including integrating space-based data into government decision-making, improving secure information-sharing mechanisms among institutions, and investing in human resource development.
He particularly stressed the need to create greater opportunities for young people, especially women, in space science and geospatial technologies.
Reiterating the importance of fair climate financing, he called for grant-based assistance rather than debt-creating loans for countries suffering the consequences of climate change.
He also urged greater regional cooperation and exchange of information on shared rivers, mountain systems and climate-related risks to improve preparedness and strengthen collective disaster response.
He noted that natural disasters transcend national boundaries, and that timely access to reliable information, backed by regional collaboration, could significantly improve early warning, preparedness and emergency response.
The minister expressed hope that the conference would produce practical and actionable recommendations to harness space technology for protecting human lives, mitigating the impact of natural disasters and advancing sustainable development.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
