Islamabad (June 7, 2021). Nature Bonds will compensate debt for ecosystem performance – said by Malik Amin Aslam Khan, Adviser to Prime Minister on Climate Change while addressing the seminar/webinar as Chief Guest, organized by National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA). He further emphasized the importance of recently launched Green Bonds and briefed about the Blue Bonds Scheme which will be introduced very soon for the purpose of marine ecosystem restoration. In addition, he shared ongoing initiatives of the Federal Government and efforts to have coordinated mechanism with the provinces for the common cause of environment.

The session was organized as part of World Environment Day 2021 celebrations, hosted by Pakistan. The host and Director General NIMA Vice Admiral (R) Abdul Aleem HI(M), in his welcome remarks, appreciated the government’s effort towards the environmental cause due to which Pakistan is now among global leaders and has received big applauds from global community by hosting the World Environment Day, 2021.

The Guest of Honor, Vice Admiral (R) Asif Humayun, Former Vice Chief of the Naval Staff urged the need to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems not only in Pakistan but worldwide. He highlighted that the tipping points of the world ecosystem can slide into a domino effect on each other and we will lose total control.

On the occasion, Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Country Representative – IUCN Pakistan deliberated on the conservation needs and challenges to restore marine ecosystem. Asif Shuja Khan, former Director General of Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (PAK EPA) highlighted the growing issue of marine pollution posing a threat to the health of ocean. He suggested valuable policy and technical measures to counter this problem. Dr. Ejaz Ahmad, former Deputy Director General, WWF-Pakistan, pointed out the marine ecosystem degradation , particularly in the context of mangroves and emphasized the need to restore them with proper response measures. He appreciated the role of Pakistan Navy for massive plantation of mangroves. Hammad Naqi Khan, CEO, WWF-Pakistan discussed the salient of blue economy and its prospects for marine ecosystem’s restoration. Dr. Samina Kidwai, Director General, NIO also spoke on the occasion.