PM Shehbaz Leaves for Türkiye to Attend COP31 Leaders’ Summit

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif departed for Türkiye on Tuesday to attend the Leaders’ Summit of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

The summit runs from November 10 to 12, 2026. Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Sherry Rehman, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, and Prime Minister’s Adviser Tariq Fatemi are accompanying the prime minister.

PM Shehbaz to Address Leaders’ Summit on November 11

According to the Foreign Office, Prime Minister Shehbaz will address the Leaders’ Summit on November 11. He will urge the international community to take concrete action against the growing threat of climate change.

He is also expected to highlight Pakistan’s progress in solar energy adoption and renewable energy expansion. These initiatives form part of the country’s transition towards a cleaner and more climate-resilient economy.

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The prime minister will also discuss Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness and early-warning systems. These measures aim to improve the country’s ability to respond to climate-related emergencies.

Pakistan to Seek Predictable Climate Finance

A key part of the prime minister’s message will focus on climate finance for developing countries.

The Foreign Office said Shehbaz would call for predictable, adequate and accessible financial support. Such funding, Pakistan argues, is essential for developing countries to strengthen resilience and pursue sustainable development.

Pakistan has repeatedly urged developed nations to provide greater financial and technical assistance to countries facing severe climate impacts. Islamabad maintains that nations contributing relatively little to global greenhouse gas emissions often suffer disproportionately from climate-related disasters.

Pakistan contributes less than one per cent of global emissions but remains highly vulnerable to climate change.

Bilateral Meetings and High-Level Roundtable Planned

During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz will also attend a high-level roundtable convened by the COP31 presidency.

The programme includes bilateral meetings with Türkiye’s leadership and other world leaders. These engagements will provide opportunities to discuss climate cooperation and broader international issues.

The Foreign Office described Pakistan’s participation as a demonstration of its strong support for the global climate agenda. It also said the visit would reaffirm the country’s commitment to working with the international community to address the climate crisis.

Pakistan’s Climate Diplomacy and COP27 Legacy

Pakistan played an active role in climate negotiations at COP27 in Egypt in 2022. It pushed for the creation of a Loss and Damage Fund to help vulnerable developing countries recover from climate-related disasters.

The fund’s establishment marked a significant outcome of the summit. Pakistan subsequently called on developed nations to fulfil their financial commitments.

Islamabad has also repeatedly urged wealthy countries to mobilise the promised $100 billion annually in climate finance for developing nations. It continues to seek greater support for climate adaptation, disaster resilience and sustainable development.

At COP31, Pakistan is expected to renew these demands while presenting its renewable energy initiatives and climate preparedness measures.