Pakistan, a pivotal South Asian nation bordered by Afghanistan, Iran, India, and China, has a population nearing 250 million people, positioning it as a significant regional entity.
As one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, Pakistan has faced considerable challenges, notably the devastating large-scale floods of 2022. In response, the nation has developed the Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Framework (4RF) strategy. This initiative aims to strengthen Pakistan's resilience to climate change and facilitate a green transition, receiving support from the EU and other international bodies through a Team Europe approach.
Migration is a key focus area in EU-Pakistan relations. The comprehensive dialogue on migration and mobility between the EU and Pakistan, initiated in November 2022, underscores this focus. Since 2012, the EU has supported the Solution Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR), aimed at providing lasting solutions for Afghan refugees and their host communities in neighboring countries. Pakistan is recognised as the third-largest host of refugees globally, sheltering approximately 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees, in addition to a similar number of Afghans who are either holding regular permits or recognised as irregular migrants.
In the realm of trade, Pakistan is the largest beneficiary of the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) trade preferences, which has elevated the EU to become Pakistan's second-largest trading partner.
Our partnership
The European Union supports Pakistan's journey towards green inclusive growth, strengthening human capital, and improving governance. This commitment aligns with Pakistan's 'Vision 2025' and the EU's Global Gateway Strategy, with a specific geographical focus on the regions of Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which border Afghanistan. The EU's actions are designed to build on Pakistan's commitment to a green and climate-resilient transition.
Under the framework of the Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) for 2021-27, facilitated by the Neighbourhood, Development, and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI-Global Europe), the EU has allocated EUR 265 million in grant funding to partnerships with Pakistan for the 2021-24 period. This funding supports critical areas such as Green Inclusive Growth, Human Development, and Governance. Included in this support is the Team Europe Initiative (TEI) titled "Building back better through green jobs creation', which focuses on fostering green growth and leveraging support from EU Member States (Germany, France, Italy) to deliver the Global Gateway Strategy and enhance climate change resilience in Pakistan. Furthermore, Pakistan benefits from several regional and multi-country EU programmes, notably in migration and forced displacement, funded under the Regional Multiannual Indicative Programme for Asia and the Pacific, complementing the bilateral MIP.
The EU's cooperation with Pakistan on migration addresses a broad spectrum of challenges including forced displacement, the root causes of irregular migration, sustainable reintegration of returnees, improved migration management, combating trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants, facilitating legal pathways for labour migration to the EU through talent partnerships, and tackling climate and disaster-induced displacement.
The Team Europe approach in Pakistan unifies efforts from the EU, Germany, France, and Italy. Pakistan also benefits from the Regional Team Europe Initiative on the Afghan displacement situation gathering 12 EU Member States and relevant Commission Services.
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- 31 OCTOBER 2024
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- 30 OCTOBER 2023
- 7 NOVEMBER 2022
Our flagship initiatives
- Climate-resilient infrastructure and green job creation
Through the Team Europe Initiative (TEI) titled 'Building back better through green jobs creation', the European Union is dedicated to supporting Pakistan in its resilient recovery, reconstruction, and rehabilitation efforts (4RF) in the aftermath of the catastrophic 2022 floods, which impacted over 33 million people nationwide. This support is centered around key areas:
- Energy-Water-Agriculture Nexus: The initiative includes i) the construction and rehabilitation of renewable (hydropower) energy plants, including the construction of an on-grid hydropower plant in Hunza district, and off-grid micro hydropower plants in the remote villages of Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral, alongside upgrades to electricity distribution networks, specifically the upgrade of electricity distribution lines in Hunza, and ii) improving the climate-resilient performance and sustainability of agribusiness sectors, such as livestock, and integrating them into local and regional value chains. This is achieved through the development of long-term climate-resilient production and irrigation systems for rural communities, including the 'Post-Flood Rural Economic Recovery of Green Productive Assets in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa', which involves the construction and rehabilitation of community-based hydro power plants and irrigation systems.
- Private sector business development: This support focuses on improving the policy, regulatory, and institutional frameworks to bolster private sector development and to ensure compliance among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
- Green inclusive growth: The initiative promotes the Humanitarian-Peace-Development Nexus by supporting efforts to build community resilience to climate change, with a particular emphasis on areas frequently affected by drought and floods. It also aims to enhance the participation of women in these efforts, ensuring that growth is inclusive and benefits all segments of society.
- Human capital development
Through the collaborative efforts of Team Europe, the European Union is committed to strengthening inclusive socio-economic development in Pakistan by enhancing the availability of skilled and relevant human capital to fulfill private sector demands. This commitment includes initiatives focused on skills development, the provision and improvement of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) - including the construction of TVET centres of excellence, specifically the construction of 3 centres of excellence in the provinces of Sindh, Balochistan, and Punjab, focusing on youth, women, and migrants - and the facilitation of job creation, notably for returning and prospective migrants.
- Governance
The EU extends its support to enhance governance in Pakistan. This includes bolstering the Rule of Law to align with international standards, promoting Human Rights, supporting Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and advancing gender equality. The objective of this support is to encourage Pakistan's compliance with the international agreements foundational to the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+), notably the effective implementation of international norms in human rights, environmental protection, and labour standards.
- Afghan refugees, migrants and host communities
The European Union is committed to facilitating durable solutions for displaced Afghans and their host communities through enhanced protection space, advocacy, increased access to livelihood opportunities and basic services including healthcare and education, and improved migration management.
- Transport
The Livelihood Support and Community Infrastructure Programme (LACIP) aims to develop disaster resilient Community Physical Infrastructure (CPI) and provides Livelihood Enhancement and Protection (LEP) with Social Mobilisation (SM) as the basis for all the activities.