Lahore, Punjab | April 15, 2025 - The Government of Punjab, in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC), the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), and the World Bank, officially launched the District Adaptation Plan (DAP) of Dera Ghazi Khan under the Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CARE) for South Asia Project.

This initiative, based on the principles of climate justice, aims to address the district's unique climate vulnerabilities and enhance its resilience against climate-induced hazards such as floods, heatwaves, and droughts.

Dera Ghazi Khan, located in a semi-arid region prone to extreme weather events and flash floods, faces significant climate-related challenges. The DAP (2025–2030) provides a comprehensive, transformative strategy for managing water resources, disaster risk reduction, climate-smart agriculture, and public health infrastructure. It also paves the way for climate finance investments through public-private partnerships and innovative mechanisms like carbon markets.

The launch event, held on April 15, 2025, brought together key stakeholders from government agencies, international organizations, donors, civil societies, and local communities. Notable participants included representatives from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), UN agencies, and local academia. The event featured a keynote address by the Honorable Senior Minister of Punjab, Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb.

In her address, the Chief Minister of Punjab emphasized the significance of the DAP in strengthening climate resilience in Punjab. "The District Adaptation Plan of Dera Ghazi Khan is a vital step in protecting our communities and infrastructure from climate-related risks. By leveraging local knowledge and scientific expertise, we aim to ensure sustainable development and build a climate-resilient future," she stated. She pledged to establish a standardized framework for crafting District Adaptation Plans for Sindh's most climate-vulnerable districts. On behalf of the Punjab Government, she committed to implementing this plan and ensuring its integration into broader development agendas, backed by robust financial and technical resources, and underpinned by principles of transparency and accountability. The success of this initiative will hinge on inclusive and participatory processes, strong institutional coordination, and the active engagement of local communities, civil society, and the private sector.

Lt. Gen. Nadeem Ahmed of ADPC echoed these sentiments, highlighting the collaborative nature of the initiative. "This plan exemplifies the power of collaboration in addressing climate change. It reflects a data-driven and community-centric approach to building resilience and securing a sustainable future for Dera Ghazi Khan," he remarked.

On behalf of the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination, a senior official noted, "The DAP of Dera Ghazi Khan stands as a model of localized climate planning aligned with national climate priorities. It represents the Ministry's commitment to supporting provincial and district-level adaptation efforts through capacity building, policy alignment, and interagency coordination."

The Deputy Commissioner of Dera Ghazi Khan, Muhammad Usman Khalid expressed strong commitment from the district administration. "This plan is not just a document—it's a roadmap for safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and ecosystems. We are fully committed to its implementation and engaging communities at every step to ensure it delivers tangible benefits."

A representative from the World Bank, Bilal Khalid reaffirmed the organization's support for climate adaptation in South Asia. "It's a privilege to support the Government of Punjab in launching this strategic plan for Dera Ghazi Khan. It is an important milestone under the CARE project and reflects the World Bank's dedication to fostering inclusive, climate-resilient development pathways that leave no one behind."

The DAP's key objectives include strengthening stakeholder collaboration for effective implementation, mobilizing resources and partnerships for technical and financial support, and developing an action plan for monitoring, evaluation, and learning (ME&L) to ensure sustainable and impactful execution.

Expected outcomes encompass enhanced stakeholder ownership and institutional support, establishment of collaborative frameworks for securing climate finance, and a structured ME&L framework for long-term success.For further details, please contact:

adpc_social@adpc.net, +92518443299