Antalya, 12 November, 2026 (Ghufran): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has called for meaningful and practical action to address climate change, urging the international community to translate expressions of solidarity into tangible support for countries vulnerable to climate disasters. Addressing the COP31 Leaders’ Summit in Antalya, Turkiye, the prime minister stressed that vulnerable nations needed timely assistance and financial support that did not add to their debt burden. He called for grant-based climate financing, stronger public-private partnerships and a substantial increase in funds for climate resilience and adaptation to help developing economies cope with environmental challenges. Recalling his warning four years ago about the far-reaching consequences of Pakistan’s climate crisis, Shehbaz Sharif said those concerns had become a reality, emphasizing that climate change respected no borders and no country could tackle it alone. He highlighted the devastating 2022 floods in Pakistan, which submerged nearly one-third of the country and affected approximately 33 million people. The prime minister also acknowledged Turkiye’s support during the disaster, saying it had stood alongside Pakistan in its difficult time. He noted that Pakistan was pursuing environmentally friendly initiatives despite contributing less than one per cent of global carbon emissions, while remaining highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters. The COP31 summit is taking place amid growing international pressure for stronger measures to address global warming, following severe heatwaves, wildfires and devastating floods in different parts of the world. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also urged governments to move away from fossil fuels, warning that the climate crisis is advancing faster than international efforts to contain it. The two-week COP31 negotiations are scheduled to continue until November 20, with countries facing mounting pressure to accelerate their commitments to climate action.