ROME; March 3 - A significant moment of scientific diplomacy unfolded yesterday afternoon in Rome. During the first day of the Arctic Circle Forum, held at the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR) in the Fermi Hall, the Pakistani Federal Minister for Climate Change, Senator Musadik Masood Malik, requested a dedicated meeting with the researchers of the EvK2CNR association.
For years, these scientists have been at the forefront of environmental research in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan. Gathered around the table with the Minister were the President of the EvK2CNR Association, Agostino Da Polenza, the CNR's Director of the Department of Earth System Sciences and Environmental Technologies (DSSTTA), Francesco Petracchini; Franco Salerno (ISP-CNR); Angela Marinoni (ISAC-CNR); as well as researchers Guglielmina Diolaiuti, Antonella Senese, and Davide Fugazza from the Università degli Studi di Milano; and Jacopo Gabrieli (ISP-CNR).
The Minister strongly desired this informal yet productive dialogue to better understand the realities of field research. He engaged directly with the scientists, who often spend months living and working in the high-altitude areas of northern Pakistan, to learn about their daily activities, the scope of their projects, and their deep-rooted collaborations with Pakistani institutions.
A Legacy of Scientific Cooperation in Pakistan
The meeting underscored the historic and continuous commitment of EvK2CNR in Pakistan. For over thirty years, the association has been a key player in facilitating and conducting high-altitude research in the Karakoram range. From glaciology and climatology to high-altitude medicine and biodiversity, EvK2CNR has fostered a unique model of scientific cooperation, operating through its permanent laboratories and in close partnership with Pakistani universities and research bodies.
Senator Malik Amin Aslam praised this commitment, stating:
“The work being done by EvK2CNR researchers in Gilgit-Baltistan is not just scientific research; it is a bridge between our nations. Pakistan greatly values this long-standing collaboration with Italy and the CNR. By understanding the changes happening on our glaciers and in our atmosphere, we are better equipped to face the climate challenges that threaten our region. We are committed to strengthening these ties and supporting the next steps of this vital cooperation."
The discussion was not only a moment of exchange and mutual appreciation but also served as a platform to outline the next steps in this strategic partnership. The dialogue focused on defining new avenues for scientific cooperation, with EvK2CNR set to play an increasingly central role in environmental science and capacity-building initiatives in the region.
Agostino Da Polenza, President of EvK2CNR, reiterated the association's dedication to this shared mission:
"This meeting is a testament to the trust and friendship that has been built over the years between Italy and Pakistan. Our researchers live and work alongside Pakistani colleagues, sharing not only the challenges of the extreme environment but also the goal of protecting these fragile ecosystems. We are ready to move forward with renewed energy, supporting the Pakistani institutions in their efforts to monitor climate change and develop sustainable strategies for the future."
The meeting followed an official visit by Minister Malik with the President of the CNR, Andrea Lenzi, during which both parties reaffirmed the historic friendship and fruitful collaboration between the scientific communities of Italy and Pakistan.