Water Environment Forum, Pakistan at ICIMOD

1st formal Introduction of WEF, Pakistan was made at Cryosphere Workshop held by ICIMOD on 22nd November, 2014 at Serena Hotel, Islamabad, by WEF team composed of Nisar A Memon,Dr Ali Tauqeer Sheikh and Dr Shakeel Ahmad.

Dr David Molden Chief of ICIMOD welcomed and thanked WEF for their presentation. The participants included representatives of ICIMOD, PMD, WAPDA, Karakorun Intl. University, SUPARCO, PARC, FOCUS, EVK2CNR, Future Water, Water Environment Forum, University of Bonn,

Mr Khalid Mohtadullah, Dr Asif Khan, Ms Nusrat Nasab, Dr Ashraf considered it 'great initiative', 'need of the time' and provided valuable input for in its way forward.

Note: The presentation made can be provided to any one on request.

Environment Awareness Festival

Environmental Awareness Festival is being celebrated in Islamabad 17-19 November 2014 at Islamabad College for Boys (ICB) G-6/3 and Islamabad College for Girls (ICG) F-6/2. Second day (today) was full of events; Senator Nisar A Memon was the Chief Guest at ICB and State Minister Saira Afzal at ICG. The program spanned over 4 hours from 0930 to 1330hrs.

First event was Environmental Walk in which students and teachers from different colleges of Islamabad participated. The Walk was led by Senator Nisar A Memon, Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry and Dr Ghulam Rasul. It was followed by very interesting interactive session in which two presentations on Environmental Awareness were given by experts from Lead Pakistan (Ms. Anam) and UNDP (Ms. Masooma). Debate competition on Environment (English/Urdu) was a salient feature of the day as 16 speakers (students from Islamabad Colleges) expressed their views on the topic with Quraanic and scientific references. Touching to hearts was "FABEAYYEA ALAE RABBEKUMA TUKAZEBAAN". 

The debate was sandwiched with National Songs. Last event was the Cultural Show in which small school children represented the culture of 4 provinces of Pakistan and Kashmir. Chief Guest gave away the prizes to the winners of the debate competition and supported the idea from event organizers 'TO STOP USE OF PLASTIC BAGS' and announced that WEF campaign next year will also take a start from ICB.

3rd EXCOM Meeting

The meeting was held on 23rd October, 2014, attended by all except Syed Raghib Shah who could not attend due to flight delay into Islamabad. Dr Christina Leb and Dr Javaid Afzal of WB and Dr Undala Alam of DFID attended on special invitation.

Chair introduced the invitees and welcomed them. Discussion took place on various issues specially on the subject of launch of WEF and future planned activities. It was discussed to explore its launch timed with SAWI-Indus Forum meeting proposed for December 8, 2014 or any appropriate way.  The discussion on future action plans will include ideas adopted in the meeting and will be announced at the launch.

The logo of the organization was approved and chair closed meeting by thanking all, particularly the special invitees for contributing their thoughts on our future action plans.
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2nd Excom meeting - September. 2014

Meeting was held in Islamabad and attended by all Excom members, except Dr. Ali Tauqeer, while Mr. Ghulam Sarwar Memon from Mangla attended on invitation. The responses from members on previous meeting were discussed on Logo, Focus Areas,  Key Programs, Lead Areas and  Plan.                                                                                                 

It was decided, in view of climate change impact causing unprecedented rains and floods in Kashmir and Punjab the theme of planned formal launch of Forum will be on subject of climate change. The event planned to be held in Islamabad at end of this year. The Forum to soon announce a Capacity Building Program, to meet current and future challenges of the region towards skill development. 

1st Meeting of Executive Committee (EXCOM) of WEF

1st formal Meeting of Executive Committee of WEF was held on 12th August, 2014 at Islamabad presided by Chairperson WEF Nisar A. Memon attended by all EXCOM members
Several organizational subjects and focus areas were discussed along with project plans. WEF will be launched in an event to be organized in November.
                                       

Left to right: Syed Raghib Shah, Nisar A Memoon, Dr Arshad M Khan

SenatorⓇ Nisar A Memon meets Prof Jeffery Sachs and Chancellor & Vice Chancellor TERI University

SenatorⓇ Memon visited Delhi from 5-7 July, 2014 on the invitation of Vice Chancellor TERI University Dr. Leena Srivastava, to join the launch of Sustainable Development Solution Network - South Asia. At the launch, he met Prof. Jeffery Sachs, Advisor to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Chancellor TERI University Dr. Pachauri who is also the Director General of The Energy and Research Institute (TERI), Delhi. SenatorⓇ Memon was named as member of the Leadership Committee of South Asia SDSN.

Dr. Pachauri later invited him to the MOU signing ceremony between TERI and US Green Buildings Institue, Washington.

During the meetings SenatorⓇ Memon introduced WEF Pakistan and discussed avenues of cooperation with them in the area of Water Environment and the partnerships that can be forged with SDSN, SDSN-SA, TERI and TERI University. 

From left: Prof. Jeffery Sachs, Dr. Pachauri, Senator Memon

Pakistan mountains enroute Gilgit Baltistan, June 2014

View of snow-clad mountains from Gilgit city, June 2014