ISLAMABAD, Oct 31 (APP):Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik Saturday called for shifting Pakistan’s disaster management approach from reactive response to prevention, stressing the need to harness space technology, satellite imagery, radar and hyperspectral data, artificial intelligence and advanced predictive modelling to identify risks before they turn into disasters.
Addressing the closing ceremony of the five-day UN/Pakistan International Conference on “Leveraging Space Technology for Early Warning for All (EW4All), Climate Action and Disaster Risk Assessment,” hosted by the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO), the minister emphasized that scientific data must be translated into practical and timely interventions to prevent loss of life and property.
Drawing an analogy with cardiology, Dr. Musadik Malik said that just as early diagnosis and timely treatment could prevent a patient from requiring surgery, scientific monitoring and accurate forecasting should help prevent disasters and minimize their impact.
He highlighted Pakistan’s growing space capabilities and stressed that a warning without a specific address was effectively a warning addressed to no one. He called for moving beyond broad regional forecasts towards precise, location-specific alerts that could reach individual households and vulnerable communities.
The minister called for annual satellite-based reports on floodplains and encroachments, stronger coordination among institutions and across borders, accurate mapping of disaster-prone areas and greater engagement of young innovators through collaborative research, hackathons and innovation initiatives.
He emphasized that science must serve humanity and that rescue operations should be the last resort rather than the first response, with the protection of vulnerable people remaining the ultimate purpose of technology.
The five-day conference concluded in Islamabad, bringing together around 250 participants from across Pakistan, including representatives of federal and provincial ministries, academia and relevant national institutions, alongside delegates and representatives from 22 countries.
The broad participation reflected strong national and international engagement and a shared commitment to strengthening space-based early warning systems, climate action and disaster risk reduction.
The closing ceremony was also attended by Chairman SUPARCO and President of the Inter-Islamic Network on Space Sciences and Technology (ISNET), Muhammad Yousaf Khan; Lorant Czaran, Director, Space Applications, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA); the Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination; the Secretary, Rehabilitation Department, Government of Sindh; and representatives of the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER), Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO), ISNET, Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary and other international organizations, along with distinguished delegates and participants.
In his address, Chairman SUPARCO Muhammad Yousaf Khan emphasized that the real value of satellite technology lay in translating space-based information into timely decisions and practical action.
He highlighted three key priorities emerging from the conference: integrating information into decision-making processes, strengthening interoperable systems and data-sharing arrangements, and sustaining institutional and human resource capacities.
Addressing the ceremony, Lorant Czaran, Director, Space Applications, UNOOSA, highlighted the importance of international cooperation and the effective utilization of space-based technologies in addressing global climate and disaster-related challenges.
He acknowledged the significance of collaborative initiatives and knowledge-sharing platforms in strengthening countries’ capacities to utilize space applications for sustainable development and disaster management.
The conference featured 17 sessions, comprising two high-level plenary sessions, five panel discussions and 10 technical sessions. The technical sessions included 67 presentations delivered by national and international participants.
Furthermore, 10 keynote talks were delivered by distinguished experts, while 32 panelists contributed to discussions on critical issues concerning space technology-based climate intelligence, climate action, disaster risk reduction, the Sendai Framework, the Paris Agreement and the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative.
The deliberations underscored the growing importance of satellite-based Earth observation, geospatial information and advanced space applications in strengthening multi-hazard early warning systems, assessing climate vulnerabilities, monitoring environmental changes and supporting informed decision-making.
Participants emphasized the need to translate space-based information into actionable intelligence, strengthen institutional capacities, enhance regional and international cooperation and ensure that timely warnings reached vulnerable communities.
During the closing ceremony, a comprehensive summary of the conference proceedings and key recommendations was presented, highlighting the major outcomes and areas for future collaboration.
SUPARCO also presented its Pakistan Space4Climate Initiative, reaffirming its commitment to leveraging national space capabilities and satellite-based applications to support climate monitoring, disaster risk assessment and national resilience.
The conference concluded with a renewed commitment to harnessing space technology, scientific innovation and international partnerships to strengthen climate resilience, improve disaster preparedness and advance the vision of Early Warnings for All.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
