Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that Pakistan needs $8 billion from its international partners over the next three years to rebuild the country that is reeling from last year’s devastating floods.

The PM is in Geneva along with a high-level delegation to co-chair the International Conference on ‘Climate Resilient Pakistan’, along with UN Secretary-General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres.

PM Shehbaz is accompanied by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman and Information Minister Marryium Aurangzeb.

The daylong event has gathered high-level representatives from dozens of countries, including several heads of state and government.

While not strictly a pledging conference, the UN and Pakistani representatives have said that it aimed to mobilise support as the country rebuilds after the floods that left more than 1,700 people dead and affected over 30 million others. Officials from some 40 countries as well as private donors and international financial institutions have joined the conference.