Islamabad: Blue Carbon and the Government of the Bahamas, during COP28 in Dubai, on Friday formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore carbon credit opportunities from transformative projects within the Bahamas.

Amidst global climate action discussions, the signing ceremony represents a significant move towards collaborative efforts aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

This endeavor seeks to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable development on a broader scale.

 This MoU symbolizes their partnership to explore and champion carbon credit facilitation opportunities stemming from transformative projects in The Bahamas. Blue Carbon, an environmental solutions provider based in the UAE, and the Government of The Bahamas establish an innovative collaboration at COP28 to enhance climate resilience and promote initiatives for carbon credits.

The MoU delineates a strategic partnership between Blue Carbon and the Bahamian government, specifically emphasizing initiatives related to blue carbon. These efforts target the conservation, restoration, and enhancement of seagrass ecosystems, biodiversity, and the maintenance of coral reefs. Historically impacted by hurricanes and severe weather events, The Bahamas urgently requires solutions to address the harm inflicted on marine life, intensified by climate change stressors. These include elevated sea surface temperatures causing coral bleaching on the nation’s reefs.

The partnership also aims to bring adaptation benefits to local communities and the environment, enhancing resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change. By focusing on blue carbon initiatives, the collaboration seeks to safeguard marine ecosystems from the impacts of hurricanes and extreme weather events.

The MOU also paves the way for the engagement of The Bahamas in the opportunities provided by Article 6 carbon markets, as Blue Carbon will work with the government to facilitate the establishment of Article 6 infrastructure in accordance with UNFCCC guidance. Blue Carbon will concentrate on identifying prospects for crafting credits compliant with Article 6, specifically involving Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs). Recognized as high-integrity carbon credits within the Paris Agreement, these credits signify measurable emissions reductions adhering to rigorous criteria, ensuring their environmental integrity and credibility. Representatives from Blue Carbon, the Government of The Bahamas and distinguished guests graced the signing ceremony, underscoring the collaborative endeavor essential for addressing global climate change challenges.

Peshawar: KP Minister for Industries, Commerce, Technical Education and Newly Merged Districts (NMDs) Affairs, Dr Aamir Abdullah has said that a mega communication sector project of Khyber Pass Economic Corridor comprising a wide expressway from Torkham to Peshawar is under construction, which will also be connected to the motorway.

He expressed these views while addressing a jirga of the tribal elders and elites from various tehsils of district Khyber at District Jirga Hall, Landi Kotal on Friday.

The caretaker minister for NMDs Affairs paid a one-day visit to district Khyber, where he also attended a Tribal Jirga as chief guest and met local youth.

He also took briefings from both district administration and district police regarding administrative affairs, uplift process, and law and order.

The minister said that the provincial cabinet has approved a scheme of Rs.700 million for the provision of interest-free loans to tribal youth including women to start decent employment for themselves. An interest-free loan of Rs.0.3 million to Rs.1 million is being given to men and women aged 18 years to 50 years.

Similarly, 5500 scholarships are also being provided for imparting skills and vocational training to stand the youth of the tribal districts on their own feet.

The caretaker minister assured that Khyber district will be given an adequate share in the ongoing projects under the special package of the Accelerated Implementation Programme.

The caretaker minister directed the health department officials to provide space for a rehabilitation center for drug addicts at Landi Kotal Hospital and assured that funds would be arranged for the same.

He also directed to identify a college or a suitable school building for the possible initiation of technical training courses in the second shift at Landi Kotal.

Addressing the youth during the visit, he said that the future belongs to the youth, therefore, he urged them to generate the best capabilities in them and prepare themselves while taking into consideration the needs of the future.

He listened to the problems of the youth and assured them that he would contact the concerned authorities for their possible solution.

Later, the caretaker minister also distributed loan provision letters amongst various individuals under the free loan scheme of the provincial government through the Bank of Khyber.

Islamabad: The third nationwide polio immunization campaign of the current year continued to vaccinate over 44.3 million children under five years of age in 159 districts.

Caretaker Federal Minister for Health Dr Nadeem Jan urged parents to ensure the vaccination of their children during the ongoing polio immunization drive.

He said that all the children deserved a healthy life and future. “We cannot allow a vaccine-preventable disease to continue to harm our children like this.”

He said that protecting children’s well-being was a collective responsibility. “Every country that has eliminated polio so far has done so with the support of communities, parents, religious leaders, and social organizations.”

Dr Nadeem said, “We need the same in Pakistan, for communities to join the government in its fight against polio.”

Coordinator of the National Emergency Operations Centre for Polio Eradication, Dr Shahzad Baig said: “Polio cases are fewer than they have ever been, yet the virus has shown up in sewage samples in several major cities this year, indicating that some population pockets that have missed out on the vaccine.”

He said, “The programme is continuously reviewing and reassessing its strategies and campaigns.” We will ensure that we find these missed populations and vaccinate them.”