Italy to support ‘Glaciers and Students’ project in GB: Ambassador Andreas Ferrarese

Islamabad: Italy’s Ambassador to Pakistan Andreas Ferrarese said on Saturday that Italy will support ‘Glaciers and Students’ project in the Gilgit-Baltistan.

He was speaking at Pre-COP26 Workshop at the Karakoram Int’l University (KIU) jointly organsied by EvK2CNR and KIU.

The Ambassador, addressing the audience virtually, through Zoom, expressed his appreciation for organizing a workshop addressing number of important thematic areas related to environment.

He mentioned the support from the Italian government to the Pakistan and particularly to GB in the past and also many projects which are being implemented currently.

Ambassador Ferrarese said that the Italian government will be financing a “Glacier and Students Project” in Pakistan and GB, starting very soon. He assured to extend support in environmental conservation and livelihood improvement in the future.

Fateh Ullah Khan Minister Planning and Information Gilgit Baltistan was the Chief Guest on this occasion. Whereas, Professor Dr Engineer Ataullah Shah, Vice Chancellor KIU was the Guest of Honor.

Muhammad Naeem, Vice Chancellor University of Baltistan (UOB) and Mr. Ashiq Ahmad Khan, Scientific Representative Evk2CNR were also present among other guests.

Speaking at the occasion, Fateh Ullah Khan, Minister Planning and Information Gilgit Baltistan said that the federal and GB governments are taking environment issues and challenges very seriously and have taken several mitigatory initiatives. He said that the “Ten Billion Tree Tsunami” is one of such examples.

He appreciated the role of Italian Government in conservation efforts in Pakistan, particularly in Gilgit Baltistan, through several development and environmental projects in the past and those are executed presently. He hoped for the same cooperation in the future.

He said that the EvK2CNR and now EvK2Minoprio are doing a great job in liaising between GB and Italian people and government contributing enormously in environmental and livelihood improvement in the region.

Prof Dr Ata Ullah Shah said that KIU is carrying out several initiatives together with the local, national and international partners. He said that KIU, being the pioneer academic institution of GB, will continue to contribute to the research and development aspect of GB. He applauded the role of Government of Italy, and EvK2CNR in continued efforts and support for the sustainable environmental development in GB.

Professor Dr. Muhammad Naeem Vice Chancellor University of Baltistan, highlighted the activities the UOBS is carrying out to achieve the targets to tackle the challenges of environmental changes being an academic institution.

Ashiq Ahmad Khan, Scientific Representative of EvK2CNR delivered the keynote speech on mountain ecology, associated challenges and mitigation strategies.

He, while speaking on the occasion, said that protection of forest in GB can lead to improved mountain ecology. The local communities, institutions and the civil society at large need to be more aware of the importance of natural heritage of the region.

Maurizio Gallo, President of EvK2Minoprio, while addressing the audience on zoom mentioned the efforts and initiatives of EvK2CNR and particularly the support from the Italian Government in the past couples of decades and that has continued till date. He said the Glacier and Student project will be implemented in Pakistan together with UNDP and local partners. He said the Twinning Project will aim at integrating the experiences from different national parks in Nepal, Pakistan, Kurdistan Iraq and Italy.