Karachi: Senator Sherry Rehman, in a keynote address at IBA's 6th annual international conference, emphasized the need for a comprehensive reevaluation of global approaches to climate resilience, energy security, and technological change, warning of an interconnected future shaped by climate stress, geopolitical shifts, and artificial intelligence.

According to Pakistan Peoples Party, Senator Rehman described the current era as a new Axial Age, marked by profound shifts in human civilization, social connections, and power dynamics. She highlighted Pakistan's climate vulnerability, citing the "recovery trap" where successive disasters hinder full recovery. The 2022 floods, which submerged one-third of the country, served as a warning about the climate emergency's scale. Over three decades, Pakistan's climate-related losses were estimated at $59 billion, with annual losses exceeding $2 billion due to extreme weather, according to the State Bank of Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank, respectively.

Senator Rehman highlighted Pakistan's energy transition, noting the country's rapid solar adoption, which has resulted in significant reductions in fossil fuel imports. She stressed the importance of battery storage and electric mobility in the next phase of the energy transition, emphasizing the geopolitical implications of energy independence.

Addressing the rise of artificial intelligence, Senator Rehman cautioned against unequal benefits and emphasized the environmental footprint of AI-related activities. She called for transparency in energy and water consumption of data centers and advocated for climate justice, urging an international financial system that recognizes the disproportionate burden on developing countries.

Concluding her address, Senator Rehman called for a new way of thinking and a stronger sense of moral responsibility in navigating the challenges of climate change, artificial intelligence, and geopolitical disruption.