Academic Council on UN System (ACUNS) President Dr Franz Baumann has noted importance of involving academia, policymakers, and diplomats in a unified effort, mentioning that the Academic Council aims to bring its prestigious annual conference to Lahore in 2027 — a potential landmark event for the region.
Dr Franz Baumann-led three-member delegation visited the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) in Islamabad for an engaging and insightful discussion on major global challenges, including climate change, migration, and evolving security dynamics. LIOS Soil President Dr Afsar Rathor, also a former director across several UN agencies; and Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES) Director Michael Zinkanell were part of the delegation.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood emphasizes growing need to build bridges between academia, policy community
By sharing his reflections on climate change as the gravest threat facing humanity, Dr Franz Baumann underlined that the global climate crisis was not evenly distributed but affects all nations, and urgently requires a shift away from fossil fuels. He explained that the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities remains central, and that greater attention must be paid to emissions and per capita energy consumption disparities.
In his welcome remarks, Michael Zinkanell highlighted the strategic shifts in European security policy subsequent to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, noting the growing importance of the ‘Indo-Pacific’ for geopolitics, security, and economic development. He emphasized the complex link between climate change, displacement, and political instability, stressing the need for stronger regional cooperation and proactive governance.
Dr Afsar Rathor addressed climate and migration challenges, sharing his work on promoting regenerative agriculture in Africa and warning about the rising threats of desertification and food insecurity. He cautioned about the scale of illegal migration, particularly among skilled Pakistanis, and underscored the need for greater awareness and institutional support to help youth access safe and legal migration pathways to Europe. The ISSI team, comprising senior researchers and experts, engaged with the delegation.
ISSI Director General Sohail Mahmood emphasized growing need to build bridges between academia and the policy community. He stressed that as the world faces unprecedented transnational challenges, think-tanks must act as vital platforms to advance collective understanding and promote evidence-based policymaking. He highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to comprehensive security, where climate change, human security, and migration now feature prominently alongside traditional security issues.
He shared Pakistan’s perspective on myriad dimensions of climate change and global response, multiple aspects of migration issue, and importance of effective pathways for legal migration. He underscored value of continued dialogue and collaboration between ISSI and ACUNS, LIOS-Soil, and the AIES. Both sides expressed interest in formalizing institutional partnerships to promote joint research projects, academic exchanges, and policy dialogues, particularly on shared priorities.
