Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb has called for greater international climate financing for Pakistan, highlighting the country’s vulnerability to floods and other climate-related disasters.
Aurangzeb made the remarks during a series of engagements in New York on September 21, 2026, where he discussed Pakistan’s climate financing requirements, disaster preparedness, digital assets and the implementation of climate commitments.
The finance minister said Pakistan needs greater access to international climate funds while also strengthening its own domestic resources and fiscal capacity to respond to climate-related challenges.
Pakistan Highlights Growing Climate Financing Needs
Speaking at the World Economic Forum’s “Financing Planet and Prosperity” meeting, Aurangzeb highlighted the impact of climate-related disasters on Pakistan.
He particularly referred to floods that have affected communities and infrastructure across the country, stressing the need for stronger disaster preparedness and more effective financing mechanisms.
According to Aurangzeb, Pakistan is working to strengthen its disaster response frameworks, early warning systems and climate investment plans.
He said these measures are intended to improve the country’s ability to prepare for climate-related events and respond more effectively when disasters occur.
The minister also emphasised that international assistance alone would not be sufficient, saying domestic resources and fiscal buffers would remain important components of Pakistan’s climate resilience efforts.
Pakistan Seeks Easier Access to Climate Funds
Aurangzeb said Pakistan has already mobilised financing through institutions including the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, as well as international capital markets.
The financing has been used or pursued for areas including disaster relief, climate adaptation and reconstruction.
However, the finance minister called for international climate funds to make their procedures simpler and improve the speed at which developing countries can access available resources.
He specifically referred to the Green Climate Fund and the Loss and Damage Fund, urging these institutions to simplify procedures and accelerate financing.
For Pakistan, faster access to climate funding could help support projects designed to strengthen infrastructure, improve disaster preparedness and address the longer-term effects of climate change.
Finance Minister Discusses Regulated Virtual Assets
During United Nations Digital Cooperation Day 2026, Aurangzeb also discussed Pakistan’s plans for a regulated framework for virtual assets.
The finance minister said Pakistan was moving towards a regulated virtual assets framework while highlighting the potential economic applications of technologies such as tokenisation.
He said emerging digital technologies should focus on practical economic needs rather than being viewed only as financial innovations.
According to Aurangzeb, tokenisation could potentially contribute to areas such as reducing remittance costs, improving access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises, supporting sovereign debt markets and expanding financial inclusion.
Aurangzeb Calls for Responsible Digital Innovation
The finance minister also stressed the importance of balancing private-sector innovation with appropriate government safeguards.
He said digital infrastructure needs to be inclusive so that emerging technologies can provide benefits across broader sections of society.
Aurangzeb further called for international cooperation in developing standards for digital assets and related technologies.
He argued that emerging economies should have a role in shaping global standards as countries develop regulatory frameworks for new forms of digital finance and technology.
Pakistan’s approach, he indicated, would involve encouraging innovation while maintaining regulatory oversight and safeguards.
Pakistan Supports COP31 Action Agenda
Aurangzeb also participated in the launch of the COP31 Action Agenda, expressing Pakistan’s support for its priorities.
The finance minister said the agenda was aligned with Pakistan’s national climate objectives and its NDC 3.0, which sets out the country’s updated climate commitments.
He highlighted several areas that Pakistan considers important for climate action.
These include clean energy and electrification, renewable energy, energy-efficient buildings, climate-resilient cities, climate education, food security and climate-resilient agriculture.
The areas cover both emissions reduction and adaptation, reflecting the challenges faced by countries such as Pakistan that are vulnerable to climate-related disasters while also seeking to expand sustainable economic development.
Focus Shifts From Plans to Implementation
Aurangzeb welcomed the proposed Climate Implementation Bridge, describing it as a mechanism that could help transform climate commitments into investable and bankable projects.
He said the major challenge was increasingly shifting from preparing climate plans to implementing them.
The finance minister praised the proposed approach for focusing on defined actions, key performance indicators and measurable results.
For Pakistan, converting climate plans into projects that can attract financing remains an important issue, particularly as the country seeks resources for adaptation, reconstruction and resilient infrastructure.
Climate Financing Remains Important for Pakistan
Pakistan has repeatedly highlighted the financial burden created by climate-related disasters and the need for international support to strengthen resilience.
Aurangzeb’s latest engagements in New York brought together several aspects of the country’s economic and climate agenda, including disaster preparedness, international financing, clean energy and digital financial innovation.
His calls for easier access to international climate funds come as Pakistan seeks to strengthen its ability to respond to future disasters while investing in long-term climate resilience.
At the same time, the finance minister’s comments on virtual assets indicate that the government is exploring new financial technologies alongside efforts to develop appropriate regulatory safeguards.
The discussions in New York therefore covered both immediate financing requirements and longer-term economic and climate priorities.
Pakistan’s participation in international climate and digital policy discussions is expected to remain focused on securing financing, improving implementation and ensuring that developing economies have a greater role in shaping global frameworks.
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