KABUL (Pajhwok): Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar says Afghanistan has been severely affected by climate change despite contributing little to global greenhouse gas emissions and deserves fair access to international financial and technical assistance.
Addressing a gathering in Kabul on Tuesday to mark the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, Baradar said Afghanistan had suffered significant social and economic losses last year due to earthquakes, seasonal floods, droughts and climate change.
He added that these disasters had damaged national infrastructure and caused substantial financial losses and casualties.
Baradar said Afghanistan had contributed little to greenhouse gas emissions or global climate degradation but continued to suffer the consequences of emissions produced worldwide, particularly by major industrial and manufacturing countries.
“It is completely inconsistent with the principles of international climate justice that we should have no role in causing the problem but bear its severe consequences and pay the price for destruction caused by others,” he said.
He urged the international community, the United Nations and relevant climate organisations not to allow political considerations to hinder efforts to combat climate change.
Climate change affects all countries, he said, adding that protecting the global climate was a shared responsibility requiring collective action.
Baradar said Afghanistan should have fair access to international financial and technical assistance to mitigate the impact of natural disasters and climate change, describing such support as the country’s right.
He called on the international community to provide practical assistance, including modern meteorological equipment, early warning systems and advanced rescue equipment, and to help strengthen Afghanistan’s technical capacity.
Baradar said the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) had worked to construct buildings that meet standards for resilience to natural disasters, build standard retaining walls to control water flows, and protect and restore forests. He added that these efforts would continue.
The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is observed annually on 13 October.
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