Karakoram International University Gilgit-Baltistan (KIU), in collaboration with WWF-Pakistan, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Integrated Mountain Area Research Center (IMARC), EV-K2-CNR; NORHED, Department of Agriculture Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Forests, Wildlife and Environment Department GB, Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) and Mountain Agriculture Research Center (MARC) of Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) is organising a three-day conference titled International Conference on Mountains and Climate Change - Resources, Challenges and Opportunities for Better Life and Livelihoods.
The last day of the conference will be followed by a field visit to highlight the impacts of climate change in the region. Chief Minister Gilgit Hafiz Hafizur Rehman will be the chief guest of the conference. Pakistan is facing losses worth billions of dollars due to climate change. According to the Global Climate Risk Index 2012 developed by German Watch Institute, Pakistan is ranked number three after Haiti and the Philippines in the list of top ten countries most affected by this scientific phenomenon, therefore climate change adaptation and mitigation, and decisive policy-making is essential to save the nation from further damages both of lives and property. The conference aims to raise awareness on climate change in Pakistan so that mountain communities can adapt and mitigate this disastrous phenomenon and the government can take immediate steps to provide local communities the necessary support.-PR