ISLAMABAD, Tuesday, July 29, 2025 (WNP): Pakistan and Denmark on Tuesday signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to integrate climate change into Pakistan’s economic and fiscal planning—ushering in a new era of green collaboration in a major step toward climate-smart governance.
The MoU, signed between the Embassy of Denmark and the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), marks the formal launch of a high-impact initiative aimed at embedding climate resilience into Pakistan’s development agenda. The signing ceremony also served as a farewell tribute to Denmark’s outgoing Ambassador to Pakistan, Jakob Linulf, whose tenure has been marked by proactive climate diplomacy.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Linulf emphasized the urgency of bold and localized climate action, especially in countries like Pakistan that are acutely vulnerable to environmental disruptions.
“Global cooperation is crucial, but local strategies are equally vital. Through Denmark’s State of Green model, we aim to help Pakistan build a robust, knowledge-driven platform tailored to its unique needs,” he said.
The ambassador praised SDPI’s leadership in steering Pakistan’s climate action forward, and reaffirmed Denmark’s continued commitment to support Pakistan’s clean energy transition and climate prosperity planning.
SDPI Executive Director Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri hailed Ambassador Linulf as a “dedicated friend of Pakistan” who brought Denmark’s green vision to life through tangible results on the ground.
“Jakob Linulf didn’t just recognize Pakistan as a climate-vulnerable country—he saw it as a strategic partner in clean energy transformation,” Dr. Suleri said.
He added that the new partnership would amplify inclusive climate action by engaging youth, women, civil society, academia, and the private sector in shaping Pakistan’s green growth narrative.
Minister of State for National Food Security and Research, Malik Rasheed Ahmed Khan, lauded the ambassador’s pivotal role in advancing Pakistan’s early work on carbon markets, climate finance, and renewable energy deployment.
“The past three years have seen a flourishing climate partnership with Denmark, largely due to Ambassador Linulf’s tireless advocacy and leadership,” he noted.
Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change, credited Denmark’s technical support for Pakistan’s growing influence as a regional leader in climate innovation.
She stressed the need for sustained capacity-building and technology transfers, ensuring that the partnership continues to benefit Pakistan well beyond the ambassador’s tenure.
The newly signed MoU focuses on green growth, carbon market development, clean energy, and climate finance. Under the agreement, Denmark and SDPI will jointly support the design of policy roadmaps, training programmes, inclusive policy dialogues, and a digital platform to showcase adaptable, low-carbon models suitable for Pakistan’s context.
As the country braces for the far-reaching impacts of climate change, this partnership signals a critical move toward aligning economic priorities with environmental sustainability—marking a transformative chapter in Pakistan’s green development journey.
