Five-day UN-Pakistan climate moot to begin in Islamabad tomorrow

• The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) will inaugurate the United Nations–Pakistan International Conference on Leveraging Space Technology for Early Warning for All (EW4All), Climate Action and Disaster Risk Assessment in Islamabad on Oct. 27, the space agency said Sunday.

Pakistan, a nation among those most susceptible to climate change and natural catastrophes, has been progressively employing space-based technology to improve weather prediction, disaster readiness and climate observation, following a string of devastating floods.

SUPARCO said the conference will gather around 200-250 national and foreign attendees including professionals, policymakers, researchers and representatives of relevant organisations.

SUPARCO said “Early warning systems are essential to save lives, livelihoods and infrastructure through timely information on impending hazards and facilitating effective preparedness.

“The conference will discuss how satellite observations, Earth observation data and geospatial technologies may strengthen the United Nations’ Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative and improve the monitoring and assessment of hazards such as floods, droughts and heatwaves.”

The conference is jointly sponsored by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) and Inter-Islamic Network on Space Sciences and Technology (ISNET).

“The conference will provide an opportunity for Pakistan to strengthen national capacity and international cooperation in early warning, climate resilience and disaster risk reduction and to encourage practical application of space based information for timely decision making and enhanced disaster preparedness,” the Pakistani space agency said.