KARACHI – UN Women Pakistan, in collaboration with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), has launched the Youth Climate Action Initiative, a pioneering effort to engage young people, particularly women and indigenous communities, in shaping Pakistan’s climate future. This initiative was unveiled at a three-day event in Karachi, bringing together young leaders from across the country, including Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh.
Pakistan faces severe climate-related challenges, including rising temperatures, erratic monsoons, and glacial melt, which disproportionately affect vulnerable groups like women and youth. Despite this, these groups are often underrepresented in climate-related decision-making.
Speaking at the launch, Jamshed Kazi, Country Representative for UN Women Pakistan, emphasized the need for inclusive, gender-responsive, and intergenerational climate action. He highlighted that the initiative aims to ensure Pakistani youth are not only present at global forums but also meaningfully contribute to the dialogue through mentorship and community-led projects.
Nadir Shafi Dar, Director General of the PCAA, underscored the vital role of young people in driving sustainable change. He said that by empowering youth, the partnership is not only investing in climate resilience but also strengthening social cohesion and national progress.
The initiative aligns with Pakistan’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), placing youth voices at the center of the country’s climate agenda. It is designed to foster sustainable, community-driven solutions in the lead-up to COP30, ensuring a climate agenda that is globally relevant and locally grounded.
