The government aims to fully integrate into Asian green supply chains

Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that green productivity is not just an environmental choice. It is an economic necessity for countries like Pakistan.

Speaking at the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) International Conference on Green Productivity 2.0, Iqbal said that by 2035, Pakistan aims to achieve over 6% productivity-driven GDP growth, $100 billion in exports, 30% reduction in emission intensity, universal climate-resilient green infrastructure, high climate resistance and 60% full green technology. supply chains. The conference was jointly organized by LUMS Energy Institute, Pakistan National Productivity Organization (NPO) and Ministry of Industries & Production at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS).

The two-day event brought together senior government officials, industry leaders, international experts, academics and development practitioners from 21 APO member economies, with more than 80 foreign delegates participating, marking one of Pakistan’s most important international forums for sustainable industrial transformation.

Different sessions covered a wide range of topics such as sustainable architecture and industrial development, energy efficiency, circular economy innovation, energy transition, digital productivity tools, green hydrogen applications, green initiatives in the electricity and oil and gas sectors, efficient thin film photovoltaics, circular plastics solutions and collaborations across industry, academia.

Presentations by experts representing Italy, Japan, Thailand, China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Vietnam, Pakistan and other APO economies showcased cutting-edge research and applied solutions, shaping the future of green productivity across the region.

Minister of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr. Musadiq Malik highlighted the alignment between climate policy and productivity-led development. He noted, “Pakistan’s energy future depends on cleaner, smarter and more efficient systems. Green productivity provides the path to enhancing energy security and national resilience.”

He said Pakistan’s 17% voluntary Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitment reflects the responsibility to protect children’s future. “The global shift from multilateralism to bilateral arrangements has led to a steady decline in multilateral climate finance. This decline poses significant challenges to countries like Pakistan trying to build a fast-growing green economy,” he added.

Representing the Parliamentary Leadership, MNA and convening the Parliamentary Task Force on SDGs, Shaista Pervaiz Malik highlighted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and said, “Green productivity ensures that economic growth goes hand in hand with environmental responsibility and social well-being. This balance is essential for a sustainable Pakistan.” The perspective of the APO Secretariat was presented by Zainuri Juri, who praised Pakistan’s leadership in the green productivity agenda, noting: “Pakistan, as a steadfast partner of the APO, has demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting green productivity, which is exemplary in all member economies.”

Reflecting on the outcomes of the conference, LUMS Energy Institute Senior Advisor Dr Fiaz Chaudhry and NPO CEO Alamgir Chaudhry emphasized the importance of collaboration to accelerate sustainable transformation.