Story | 29 May, 2017

Training on Eco-Disaster Risk Reduction and Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Climate Change organized by IUCN

IUCN Pakistan under its Mangroves for the Future (MFF) Programme organized a two-day training workshop and seminar in collaboration with HEJ/ International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) on "Eco-Disaster Risk Reduction and Ecosystem-based Adaptation to Climate Change from 24-25 May 2017 at the HEJ/ICCBS, University of Karachi.

Reflecting over the growing concerns about climate change triggered natural disasters in Pakistan, the training workshop aimed at building capacities of participants from government, academia and CBOs from coastal areas of Balochistan and Sindh who were trained in Ecosystem based adaptation approaches to management of climate change related disasters. Dr. Naeem Shahzadan expert from National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Islamabad was the key resource person. Mr. Ghulam Qadir Shah, MFF Pakistan National Coordinator and Nadeem Mirbahar, a member of IUCN Commission on Ecosystems Management also made their presentations focusing on environment and ecosystems and Disaster Risk Reduction.

In his opening remarks at the seminar held on 24 May 2017 in the auditorium of HEJ/ICCBS, University of Karachi, Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Country Representative, IUCN Pakistan emphasized that ecosystem based approaches were low cost and sustainable solutions to the management of climate change induced disasters. He informed that IUCN Pakistan in collaboration with its wide network of members and thematic experts at the national and global levels has been engaged in promoting ecosystem based approaches to address climate change related challenges. He added that IUCN’s regional initiative, Mangroves for the Future (MFF) Programme has been striving towards promoting collaborative approaches at the regional level including in Pakistan towards maintaining healthy coastal ecosystems for enhancing resilience of local communities against climate change induced hazards and their sustainable livelihoods. He highlighted that the partnership based approaches of IUCN/MFF have encouraged non-traditional actors such as Pakistan Navy and private sector towards playing their roles in addressing environmental challenges in Pakistan.

In his welcome remarks, Dr. Mohammad Iqbal Choudhury, Director, HEJ/ICCBS, University of Karachi appreciated IUCN’s role in addressing the environmental challenges in Pakistan and sensitizing the masses towards environmental friendly practices. He viewed that climate change was one of the key reasons to many of the emerging vector borne diseases in Pakistan such as Dengue. He suggested for introduction of a course into the environmental syllabus through Higher Education Commission specifically focusing on contemporary environmental challenges and sustainable development approaches to sensitize the youth being the generation future leaders.

Following the seminar, a panel discussion focusing on environmental issues including climate change and disaster risks was organised in which the experts interacted with the audience and clarified various concepts related to climate change and ecosystems management in Pakistan.

For further information:


George Sadiq
Programme Officer
Education, Communication and Outreach
Cell: 0333-3332127
Email: george.sadiq@iucn.org