Provincial Conference on Climate Change and Disaster Resilience was successfully organized today at Marriott Karachi by CESVI Pakistan, in collaboration with consortium partners Welthungerhilfe (WHH), Fast Rural Development Program (FRDP), the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh, and academic institutions. The conference was part of the ongoing initiatives under the ECHO-funded BRAND Project consortium, which includes CESVI, WHH, and FRDP.
The event brought together key representatives from government, academia, civil society, Medial personals, UN agencies and the development sector, providing a timely platform to address Sindh’s urgent climate challenges and advance disaster preparedness in one of Pakistan’s most climate-vulnerable provinces.
A major highlight of the conference was the official launch of a comprehensive research study titled “Climate-Smart Agriculture as a Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy in Vulnerable Regions of Sindh, Pakistan: A Multi-District Comparative Analysis.” Presented by leading academic researchers, the study showcased how adopting climate-smart agricultural practices can mitigate disaster risks, enhance food security, and support sustainable rural development in high-risk districts across the province.
The conference featured several critical technical sessions, including a notable presentation by the Chief Meteorologist of the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on climate change projections for Sindh. The session outlined key regional risk assessments and anticipated climate stressors such as rising temperatures, water scarcity, and irregular rainfall patterns, offering valuable insights into the province’s future climate landscape and its socio-economic implications.
Aisha Jamshed, Country Director of Welthungerhilfe, commended the initiative, stating:
“This conference marks an important milestone in our collective journey to integrate climate resilience into disaster risk reduction frameworks. The evidence shared today reaffirms that investing in climate-smart agriculture is not only a sustainability imperative but also a practical solution to protect lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems in Sindh.”
In his remarks, Shayan Shah, Director of Operations at PDMA Sindh, emphasized the provincial government’s commitment to acting on research-backed recommendations. He noted:
“Sindh is on the frontlines of climate change, and strengthening local resilience is critical. The partnership between government institutions, NGOs, and academia—exemplified here today—demonstrates how data-driven, community-rooted strategies can shape long-term policy and planning for a safer, more climate-resilient province.”
Further discussions, led by the Sindh Environment, Climate Change, and Coastal Development Department, focused on the disproportionate impact of climate change on agriculture-dependent communities and vulnerable populations. Among the day’s most engaging sessions was a panel discussion titled “Innovating for Resilience: Climate-Smart Solutions and DRR in Agriculture and Food Systems,” which explored innovations in water conservation, resilient crop production, soil health management, and agri-tech integration. Panelists called for enhanced investment in climate-smart technologies and the replication of successful pilot projects across other at-risk districts in Sindh.
The conference concluded with a collective call to action: to institutionalize climate-smart practices, mainstream disaster risk reduction into all development planning, and ensure that vulnerable communities remain at the heart of future climate adaptation strategies in the province.
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