Civil Aviation Authority
and UN Women Pakistan launch Youth Climate Action Initiative
UN Women Pakistan, in collaboration
with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), has launched the Youth
Climate Action Initiative, a pioneering program aimed at amplifying youth
engagement—particularly among young women and Indigenous communities—in shaping
Pakistan’s climate-resilient future.
Pakistan ranks among the world’s ten
most climate-vulnerable countries, facing intensifying threats such as rising
temperatures, erratic monsoon patterns, prolonged droughts, glacial melt, and
rising sea levels. Climate shocks, including devastating Glacial Lake Outburst
Floods (GLOFs), have displaced thousands, strained infrastructure, and deepened
socio-economic inequalities. Women, youth, and Indigenous groups are
disproportionately affected but remain underrepresented in climate
decision-making and peacebuilding efforts.
At the launch, Jamshed Kazi, Country
Representative of UN Women Pakistan, highlighted the importance of inclusive
climate governance:
"Climate action must be
gender-responsive, locally grounded, and inter-generational. Through programs like
the Youth Climate Action Initiative and COP in My City, Pakistani youth are not
only visible on global platforms but are also shaping climate dialogue. We are
committed to investing in resilience labs, mentorship, and community-led
adaptation projects, placing young women and marginalized youth at the
forefront of climate governance and peacebuilding."
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Nadir Shafi Dar, Director General of PCAA, emphasized the transformative potential of youth engagement:
"The Pakistan Civil Aviation
Authority is proud to partner with UN Women on this initiative. Young people
are future custodians of our environment. Equipping them with knowledge,
skills, and opportunities—especially young women—is crucial for strengthening
climate resilience, reducing environmental impact, and advancing national
development."
The three-day initiative brought
together youth leaders from Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
and Sindh. Participants took part in capacity-building workshops,
cross-regional knowledge exchange, and collaborative project design to develop
practical, gender-responsive climate solutions.
The launch also featured Air Cmdr.
(R) Rehan Shaukat, Additional Director Administration PCAA, Mudassir Masood,
PCAA Environment Expert, and Mahrukh Mumtaz Hussain, PCAA Gender Focal Person,
reflecting strong institutional commitment to youth-led and women-centered
climate action.
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This initiative aligns with Pakistan’s Paris Agreement commitments and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), while contributing to global priorities ahead of COP30. By centering youth voices—particularly those of young women and marginalized groups—the program reinforces Pakistan’s climate leadership and commitment to inclusive, community-driven solutions.
Source: APP