Remarks by the President of the 78th session of the General Assembly,
Mr. Dennis Francis,
at the Briefing on the Pakistan Floods pursuant to the Implementation of Resolution 77/1
27 September 2023
[As delivered]
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
One year ago, Pakistan found itself in the grips of an unprecedented natural disaster – the devastating floods that submerged one-third of the country and upended the lives of 33 million people.
The disaster served as a stark reminder of the catastrophic consequences of unchecked climate change.
Climate change is entrenching inequalities, within and among nations – with vulnerable populations being systematically hit first and hardest.
In Pakistan, a full year later, millions of children still require humanitarian aid and access to basic services.
Excellencies,
We are bound by a moral imperative to stand in solidarity with Pakistan and its people.
This commitment necessitates the provision of essential resources to address humanitarian needs and to undertake the long journey of reconstruction.
Considering climate-related disasters have almost doubled in the past two decades, we must make a determined effort to diminish disaster risk by focusing on prevention and preparedness. This includes investing in early warning systems and strengthening resiliency.
Friends,
To this end, I call upon Member States and the UN system to maintain their unwavering support for Pakistan’s recovery and reconstruction endeavours.
To harness the tools at our disposal to further risk-informed and people-centred action, to shield the most vulnerable, and to pave the way for a resilient and equitable future for all.
And, I urge Member States and stakeholders to step forward and fill the funding gaps in order to mobilise the resources needed.
Together, we must redress the glaring lack of funding towards climate change adaptation on the one hand and disaster risk reduction, on the other.
Excellencies,
Only a few weeks ago, the disasters in Morocco and Libya once again forced us to confront the relentless impacts of climate change.
Both tragic events serve as a sobering reminder that climate change knows no bounds, and our promises to countries and communities affected by it must remain steadfast.
I invite you all to use this meeting to link your reflections today to the commitments you made last week.
Let us stand united, shoulder to shoulder, firmly grounded in our resolute commitment to Pakistan and in our global struggle against the daunting and worsening impacts of climate change.
Thank you.
