ISLAMABAD:Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof. Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday emphasized the need to strengthen early warning systems, climate resilience and disaster risk management through space-based technologies, effective policies and international cooperation, stressing that timely and reliable warnings are essential to protecting vulnerable communities and reducing disaster-related losses.
Addressing the inaugural session of the International Conference on Leveraging Space Technology for EW4All, Climate Actions and Disaster Risk Assessment, organized by the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) in collaboration with international partners, the minister highlighted the critical role of science, technology and international cooperation in addressing climate-related challenges and strengthening Pakistan’s resilience to natural disasters.
Recalling the devastating floods of 2022, which caused direct losses equivalent to approximately 2.2 percent of Pakistan’s gross domestic product (GDP), Prof. Ahsan Iqbal underscored the close link between climate risks, economic development, fiscal stability and poverty reduction.
He emphasized the importance of integrating climate resilience into national economic planning and public-sector development projects.
He highlighted the potential of space-based technologies, including satellite-based Earth observation, meteorology and communication systems, to strengthen early warning systems, disaster risk assessment, climate monitoring and emergency response.
The minister stressed the need to translate technological advancements into practical outcomes through effective policies, stronger institutional coordination and international cooperation.
Referring to the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, he highlighted the importance of timely and reliable warnings in reducing disaster-related losses and protecting vulnerable communities.
He also called for improved data-sharing mechanisms, investment in human and institutional capacity, innovative financing models and enhanced regional cooperation.
Urging the conference participants to develop actionable recommendations on institutional arrangements, data sharing, financing and capacity building, he reaffirmed that the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives would consider these recommendations in the national planning process.
Earlier, Chairman SUPARCO, Muhammad Yousaf Khan welcomed the participants and highlighted the growing importance of space-based applications in climate monitoring, disaster management and early warning systems.
He underscored SUPARCO’s role in developing and utilizing satellite-based capabilities to support national priorities, particularly in monitoring environmental changes, assessing disaster risks and providing timely information to relevant stakeholders.
The inaugural session also featured remarks by representatives of partner organizations, including ISNET Executive Director Munir Ahmad Asad, UNOOSA Director Aarti Holla-Maini and APSCO Secretary-General Dr. Jiang Hui.
Their participation underscored the importance of international collaboration and the sharing of expertise to enhance the contribution of space science and technology to global development and disaster resilience.
SUPARCO, in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), the Inter-Islamic Network on Space Sciences and Technology (ISNET) and the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO), inaugurated the five-day international conference at a local hotel in Islamabad.
The event is being held from October 27 to 31, bringing together around 250 national and international participants from 20 countries.
The conference is aimed at exploring the role of space technology in strengthening early warning systems, climate resilience and disaster risk management, with a particular focus on the Early Warnings for All initiative, disaster risk assessment, climate action and the use of satellite-based information and geospatial technologies to support timely decision-making.
The international participation includes the conference organizers and partner institutions, along with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and space and research agencies from partner countries.
These include the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN), the Iranian Space Research Center, the Space Research and Technology Center of Iraq, the Turkish Space Agency, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Trkiye’s Space Technologies Research Institute (TÜBITAK UZAY), Vietnam’s National Remote Sensing Department and Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and Nepal’s Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.
National participation spans government, disaster management and public-sector institutions, including the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Pakistan Meteorological Department, Pakistan Climate Change Authority, National Disaster Risk Management Fund, Planning Commission, State Bank of Pakistan, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), Federal Flood Commission, Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), Punjab Forest Department and Punjab Information Technology Board.
The conference also witnessed strong participation from academia and research institutions, providing a platform for experts, policymakers, researchers and institutional representatives to exchange knowledge, share experiences and strengthen international cooperation in the application of space technology for early warning, climate action and disaster risk assessment.
The technical programme covers a broad range of topics, including geospatial technologies for disaster risk reduction, flood risk modelling, multi-hazard mapping, glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) early warning, hydrodynamic modelling and satellite-based monitoring of glaciers, forests, agricultural areas and water resources.
The experts will be discussing climate-resilient infrastructure, climate risk financing, crop-yield loss estimation, climate monitoring and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and GeoAI to improve hazard detection, impact assessment and early warning capabilities.
The conference further addresses the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Paris Agreement, while providing a platform for researchers and young professionals to present their work on climate-related challenges and technology-based solutions.
A technical visit to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is also included in the programme to facilitate knowledge exchange on Pakistan’s disaster management framework and operational requirements.
The closing ceremony, scheduled for October 31, will feature a summary of the conference proceedings, presentations on SUPARCO’s Space4Climate initiative and addresses by participating organizations.
The programme also includes the planned inauguration of the Pakistan-Kazakhstan Joint Climate Laboratory, reflecting ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the application of space technology and scientific research to address climate-related challenges.
Following the conference, a five-day training course is scheduled to be held at the COMSTECH Secretariat from November 02-06, to further develop technical knowledge and capacity in relevant areas.
The conference provides an important platform for national and international stakeholders to exchange expertise, strengthen institutional linkages and explore practical applications of space technology for early warning, climate action and disaster risk assessment.
The discussions are expected to contribute towards enhanced technical cooperation and the wider use of space-based information in building resilient communities and supporting informed decision-making.