New York (GNP): Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb highlighted Pakistan’s climate vulnerability, disaster preparedness, digital financial transformation and transition toward a regulated virtual-assets framework during a series of high-level engagements in New York on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
At the World Economic Forum’s “Financing Planet and Prosperity” meeting, Aurangzeb emphasized Pakistan’s exposure to climate-related disasters, particularly floods that have affected infrastructure and communities.
He outlined government efforts to strengthen disaster-response mechanisms, early-warning systems and costed climate-investment plans.
The Finance Minister stressed that international assistance remains important but should be complemented by domestic resources and adequate fiscal buffers.
He referred to financing mobilized through institutions including the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, as well as international capital markets, for relief, adaptation and reconstruction.
Aurangzeb also called for international climate-finance mechanisms to improve access for vulnerable developing countries.
He urged funds including the Green Climate Fund and the Loss and Damage Fund to simplify procedures and accelerate the release of financing.
His remarks reflected Pakistan’s broader emphasis on converting climate vulnerability into practical financing and investment priorities.
Digital transformation formed another major part of the Finance Minister’s engagements. Speaking at “United Nations Digital Cooperation Day 2026 – Blockchain and the Tokenized Future: Sovereign Choices and Safeguards for Next-Gen DPI.
Aurangzeb highlighted Pakistan’s transition toward a regulated virtual-assets framework.
According to Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, he emphasized that tokenisation should be connected to identifiable economic needs, including reducing remittance costs, improving access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises, supporting sovereign debt markets and expanding financial inclusion.
The Finance Minister also stressed the importance of safeguards accompanying private-sector innovation.
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He called for inclusive digital infrastructure, appropriate state oversight and international cooperation, while arguing that emerging economies should have a meaningful role in developing global standards for digital assets and tokenized financial systems.
Pakistan’s broader economic policy has increasingly included emerging technologies as part of its effort to move toward investment, productivity and export-led growth.
The government has previously identified blockchain and Web3 opportunities as part of its priorities for participating in the “New Economy.”
Aurangzeb also participated in the launch of the COP31 Action Agenda, where he expressed Pakistan’s support for the agenda and highlighted its alignment with the country’s climate priorities and NDC 3.0.
He identified clean energy and electrification, renewable-energy expansion, energy-efficient buildings, climate-resilient cities, climate education, food security and climate-resilient agriculture among shared priorities.
A key element of his remarks was the proposed Climate Implementation Bridge, which he described as a mechanism for converting nationally determined contribution commitments into investable and bankable projects.
Aurangzeb said the challenge was increasingly one of implementation rather than simply developing plans.
He welcomed an approach based on clearly defined actions and measurable performance indicators, emphasizing the importance of turning climate commitments into projects capable of attracting financing and producing tangible results.
The New York engagements therefore brought together two areas of Pakistan’s current economic policy discussion: strengthening resilience against climate-related shocks and using digital innovation to broaden economic and financial opportunities.
For Pakistan, the discussions also underscored the need to connect international climate commitments with accessible financing, stronger domestic institutions and projects that can be implemented at scale.
