Tehran – The Iranian and Pakistan weather organizations have signed a Memorandum (MOU) to promote cooperation on meteorology, atmospheric science and dangers.
Mou has been signed on the sidelines of President Masoud Pezeshkian’s official trip to Pakistan.
Both countries are affected by the same natural disasters and climate change threats, including tropical cyclones, monsoon rains, resulting floods, droughts, sand and sandstorms.
The signed MOU opens new chapters to jointly address common climate risks and promotes crisis management.
The expansion of regional and global interactions is one of the key policies of Iranian weather organisations, particularly to reduce the risks posed by climate change.
The policy has led organizations to establish two regional offices with cross-border duties in the areas of “specialized weather training” and “climate” to provide regional and international services.
Additionally, the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Regional Centre for Natural Disaster Risk Management (ECO) known as ECO-RCRM, was established in Mashhad city, and support from Iranian weather organizations is actively working together to reduce risks related to weather-related disasters.
Joint efforts to increase climate change resilience
The international project to manage natural disasters and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change was officially launched by representatives from the Ministry of the Environment (DOE), the Japanese Embassy, and the United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organizations (UNESCO).
The document for the project, funded by Japan, was signed on April 12 by Ayen Slong, head of the UNESCOTEHAN office, and Ahman Korusand, Director of the DOE’s Treaty of International Affairs.
The main objectives of this project include developing flood hazard maps, establishing early warning systems, assessing and managing agricultural drought risks, and empowering communities, particularly women and young people, to prepare effectively to respond to disasters and crises.
The project also aims to develop scientific and technical infrastructure in crisis management with the potential to become a regional model for combating the impacts of climate change.
Referring to the challenges of climate change, DOE director Shina Ansari highlighted the importance of public participation, Indigenous knowledge and modern technology in disaster risk reduction.
Aien Slong, head of the UNESCO Tehran office, praised the environmental cooperation between the two organizations, highlighting the importance of prioritizing science and raising awareness in the fight against climate change.
Sanctions undermine climate cooperation
During the 17th BRICS summit session on the Environment, Police 30 and Global Health held in Brazil on July 7, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbasarakchi said sanctions and geopolitical tensions undermine climate cooperation and hinder coordinated action.
“Climate change is no longer a threat to the future, but it is a current reality where its impacts are increasingly felt every day.
The rising temperatures, water shortages, widespread wildfires, ecosystem destruction and climate-induced migration have become a living reality for millions of people,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website quotes Arakchi as saying.
It highlights the important role of BRICS as a symbol of North-South cooperation and a symbol of the nation’s independent voice, Arakich said: “Today, humanity is facing a series of interconnected crises, from climate change and environmental degradation to increasing threats to global health, and ultimately unfair structures that hinder progress in developing countries,” he said.
The officials then spoke about Iran’s position in climate-disordered areas, saying, “We have implemented a national programme focused on water resource management, renewable energy development and the recovery of native ecosystems.”
Iran’s top diplomats emphasized that effective climate crisis response requires climate justice, acknowledging the historical responsibility of developed countries for environmental destruction, providing financial resources and acknowledging its important role in relocating clean technologies to developing countries.
Meanwhile, Araqchi expressed concern over industrialisation and the failure of developed countries to fulfill their commitment to actions by developed countries due to large portions of global environmental challenges, such as greenhouse gas accumulation, global warming and various pollution in response to actions by developed countries.
He said these countries must not only reduce emissions and lead to the fight against pollution, but also provide environmentally compatible technologies to account for their historical responsibility, to provide financial resources, technical assistance and the damages caused to developing countries.
The Foreign Minister noted that sanctions and geopolitical tensions undermine climate cooperation and hinder coordinated action.
“Unfair sanctions and unilateral enforcement measures imposed by several developed countries on developing countries, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, under political pretext, pose a serious obstacle to the efforts of these countries,” Arakich said.
He noted that this contradicts the detrimental effects of climate change and the goals of the global community of collaborative action to achieve the eradication of poverty and hunger.
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