UNIDO Delegation Holds Meeting with Sindh Environment Department and SEPA on Sustainable Industrial Development and Climate Action

UNIDO Delegation Holds Meeting with Sindh Environment Department and SEPA on Sustainable Industrial Development and Climate Action

*PRESS RELEASE*

*UNIDO Delegation Holds Meeting with Sindh Environment Department and SEPA on Sustainable Industrial Development and Climate Action*

KARACHI: A three-member delegation of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) visited the Environment, Climate Change & Coastal Development Department, Government of Sindh, and the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) to discuss sustainable industrial development, pollution and carbon emissions reduction, climate change initiatives and carbon credit opportunities in the province.

The delegation comprised Badar ul Islam, National Program Coordinator; Qaiser Wasique, Enterprise Development Advisor; and Farooque Ahmed Siddiqui, National Technical Advisor. The delegation is associated with the Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Development Areas of Rural Sindh (PAIDARS) project.

The delegation met Secretary Environment, Climate Change & Coastal Development Department Faisal Ahmed Uqaili and Director General SEPA Dr. Ashiq Ali Langah. The discussions focused on practical areas where UNIDO, the provincial Environment Department and SEPA could support cleaner production, improved environmental performance and climate-resilient industrial development.

The participants discussed opportunities for joint interventions in Thatta, Sujawal, Larkana, Tharparkar and Badin, particularly to support industries and industrial clusters in adopting cleaner and more efficient production methods. Proposed measures included energy efficiency, waste reduction, pollution prevention, emissions control and the adoption of environmentally responsible technologies.

The meeting also considered how such initiatives could contribute to rural economic development, employment and poverty reduction by helping local industries improve their environmental performance without compromising economic activity.

Another key area of discussion was the Sindh carbon credit framework. The participants explored possible collaboration to increase awareness among industries about carbon markets, emissions reduction opportunities and mechanisms through which investments in environmentally beneficial projects could generate carbon-related benefits.

The potential conversion of traditional brick kilns into cleaner production units was also discussed. The participants considered appropriate kiln technologies, cleaner fuels, improved designs, energy-efficiency measures and pollution-control practices to reduce emissions while maintaining the economic viability of the sector.

UNIDO briefed the provincial authorities on the objectives and areas of work under the PAIDARS project. The participants also examined ways of aligning its interventions with Sindh's environmental protection, climate and sustainable development priorities.

The meeting further highlighted the need for institutional coordination, technical assistance and capacity building to translate climate and environmental objectives into practical projects, particularly in rural areas where environmental protection and economic development can be pursued together.

Secretary Environment Faisal Ahmed Uqaili and Director General SEPA Dr. Ashiq Ali Langah appreciated UNIDO's engagement and expressed their willingness to explore further areas of collaboration with the organization.

Director Carbon Finance Sindh Noman Shaikh and SEPA Directors Waris Ali Gabol, Imran Sabir, Abdul Rauf Memon and Agha Gul Muhammad also participated in the meeting.

At the conclusion, Secretary Environment Faisal Ahmed Uqaili and Director General SEPA Dr. Ashiq Ali Langah presented traditional Ajrak gifts to the visiting UNIDO representatives as a gesture of respect and appreciation.

The meeting concluded with an understanding to explore stronger collaboration between UNIDO, the Environment Department and SEPA for cleaner and more climate-resilient industrial development in Sindh.