ISLAMABAD – Speaker of the National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, met with Ambassador of Ireland to Pakistan, H.E. Mary O’Neill, at the Parliament House on Thursday, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral relations through parliamentary diplomacy and cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
Welcoming the Ambassador, Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq emphasized the importance of robust parliamentary linkages between Pakistan and Ireland. He noted that such people-to-people and institutional exchanges are vital tools for fostering deeper bilateral cooperation, promoting mutual understanding, and exploring new avenues for collaboration in areas including education, trade, and climate resilience.
Highlighting Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change, the Speaker drew attention to the devastating impacts of recent floods across the country. He pointed out that despite contributing only 0.6 percent to global carbon emissions, Pakistan remains one of the most climate-vulnerable nations in the world.
“The destruction caused by the ongoing floods has tragically exceeded even the devastation we witnessed during the 2022 deluge,” he remarked. “Torrential monsoon rains, coupled with the release of water from across the border, have triggered widespread displacement, agricultural losses, and infrastructure damage. Our people are facing immense hardships.”
Speaker Sadiq stressed the critical role of parliamentary diplomacy in tackling shared global challenges. He said that closer cooperation between the legislative bodies of both countries can lead to joint strategies for climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development.
Ambassador Mary O’Neill expressed solidarity with the people of Pakistan in the face of the recent climate-induced disasters and conveyed Ireland’s interest in enhancing dialogue and collaboration across multiple sectors. She also acknowledged Pakistan’s active engagement on global climate platforms and reaffirmed Ireland’s support for initiatives that promote environmental sustainability and resilience.
The meeting concluded with a mutual agreement to explore new opportunities for inter-parliamentary cooperation, including delegation exchanges, joint forums, and capacity-building programs to address pressing regional and global challenges.
BY: The Times Union
