Topic: 2025-Conserving Wetlands
Country: Pakistan
Delegate Name: Michael Fuger
Wetlands are an important part of the world’s geography. Wetlands reduce the effects of flooding and provide drinking water to communities. They absorb far more carbon than forests, trap pollutants in plants, and house many different species of mammals, plants, fish, and birds. Since the 1700s, over 80% of the world’s wetlands have been destroyed, largely due to creation of farmland. The roots of wetland plants stabilize the soil against erosion.
Pakistan has about 780,000 hectares of wetlands, comprising about 10% of the country’s land area. Pakistan’s peatlands are being destroyed resulting in emissions of dangerous fumes causing disease. Wetlands are most common in the south of the country, with a few in the north and central regions. Drought, pollution, and agriculture are some of the major threats wetlands face in Pakistan. Pakistan signed the Ramsar Convention in 1976 and currently has 19 designated sites covering 1,343,807 hectares. The Government’s Recharge Pakistan initiative will restore wetlands and defend the country against more floods.
Pakistan believes that the committee should focus on 2 main aspects of wetlands conservation. Firstly, the ideas promoted in the Ramsar Convention such as international cooperation and wetlands education for the public should be promoted. Secondly, Pakistan supports reforestation and restoration of wetlands around rivers and coasts, especially near populated areas, to reduce risks of flooding or environmental destruction.
