- H.E. Maja Derrous Mortensen Leads Denmark’s Climate Partnership with Aga Khan Foundation in Pakistan’s High Mountain Regions
Islamabad – In a significant stride toward sustainable development, the Embassy of Denmark in Islamabad and the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) Pakistan today formalized a strategic partnership aimed at bolstering climate-resilient livelihoods for the vulnerable communities of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change in Pakistan’s critical mountain ecosystems.
The agreement, signed by H.E. Ambassador Maja Derrous Mortensen of Denmark and Mr. Akhtar Iqbal, Chief Executive Officer of AKF Pakistan, launches a comprehensive initiative designed to enhance food security and economic stability. The project will introduce and scale up climate-smart and regenerative agricultural practices, ensuring farming systems are both productive and sustainable. A core component involves the revitalization of water management infrastructure, a critical need in water-stressed regions, to optimize usage for irrigation and household needs.
officials and Akhtar Iqbal, CEO of the Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan
Central to the project’s philosophy is inclusive development. With a targeted outreach to approximately 5,890 direct and 34,000 indirect beneficiaries, the initiative places a strong emphasis on the equitable participation of women, youth, and marginalized groups. This will be achieved through specialized training programs, ideation bootcamps for green entrepreneurship, and the provision of micro-grants to turn innovative ideas into viable local businesses.
“This partnership is a testament to Denmark’s enduring commitment to supporting Pakistan in its climate adaptation journey,” stated H.E. Ambassador Maja Derrous Mortensen. “By focusing on empowering the most vulnerable, particularly women and youth, with the knowledge and tools for sustainable agriculture, we are investing in the long-term resilience and prosperity of these unique mountain communities. This initiative is a concrete step towards a greener, more secure future.”
Mr. Akhtar Iqbal emphasized the project’s strategic importance, noting, “The mountainous regions of Pakistan are on the frontlines of climate change. This collaboration with Denmark enables us to implement a holistic model that not only strengthens agricultural livelihoods but also builds robust community-owned systems for managing natural resources. Our goal is to create replicable models of resilience that can inspire and inform adaptation efforts across similar regions.”
The project will be implemented on the ground by the Aga Khan Foundation and its network agencies, notably the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), leveraging their decades of experience and deep community engagement in the region. The initiative also plans to facilitate policy dialogues, ensuring that community insights contribute to broader discourse on climate adaptation and sustainable mountain development.
BY: The Times Union
