President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that Türkiye fulfils its responsibilities in terms of contributing to the global struggle against climate change and disasters.
President Erdoğan sent a video message to the International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan organized by the United Nations (UN) and Pakistan in Geneva, Switzerland. In his message, President Erdoğan greeted the participants and thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for their kind invitation.
President Erdoğan conveyed his get well soon wishes to Pakistani brothers and sisters due to the flood disasters in the past months, and wished Allah's mercy on those who lost their lives, patience for their relatives, and a speedy recovery to the injured.
Noting that Türkiye has stood by the people of Pakistan during their difficult days, as it has always done throughout history, President Erdoğan said, "We delivered more than 7,500 tonnes of humanitarian aid, which we sent with 15 planes and 13 trains. In addition, we shared the products we obtained locally with the disaster victims. We also sent two ships carrying more than 1,630 tonnes of humanitarian aid. I believe that with the arrival of these ships at the ports, the troubles of our Pakistani brothers and sisters will be alleviated to some extent. Immediately after the flood disasters, our Interior and Environment Ministers visited Pakistan along with representatives of TOKİ and AFAD. Our delegation conducted inspections in disaster areas and received information from the Pakistani authorities. Intense efforts were made both to meet the identified needs and bring the issue to the international community's agenda.”
President Erdoğan said that with the efforts of Türkiye, as well as other countries and international organisations, the people of Pakistan are beginning to recover from their sufferings, and added: "However, it is clear that more collaboration is needed in the face of the devastating effects of the climate crisis. Climate change and the difficulties it produces are a common concern of humanity. The disaster in Pakistan has once again demonstrated the devastation caused by climate change. The fight against these and similar disasters must be carried out in solidarity within the framework of a strategy. Türkiye fulfils its responsibilities in terms of contributing to this global struggle. In addition to the disaster-affected areas, reconstruction of all disaster-prone locations in Pakistan in a climate-resilient way can avert additional sufferings.”
President Erdoğan stated that Türkiye stands ready to contribute to the immediate needs of disaster victims in Pakistan as well as the reconstruction process.
Highlighting the contacts of TOKİ officials with the Pakistani authorities in this context, President Erdoğan said, "AFAD and our NGOs are also showing all necessary sensitivity in the delivery of humanitarian aid. I believe that our Pakistani brothers and sisters, who have overcome many difficulties throughout history, will, inshallah, easily overcome this troubled period. As Türkiye, we will continue to stand by the brotherly Pakistani people in the coming period as we have done in the past. May Allah keep our Pakistani brothers and sisters safe from all disasters and calamities.”
President Erdoğan shared his hope for the conference to increase worldwide support for Pakistan and thanked everyone who helped put the programme together.