ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik has expressed confidence that Pakistan’s youth can play a pivotal role in addressing climate change, as he addressed the second edition of the Breathe Pakistan International Climate Change Conference, currently underway in Islamabad.
The two-day conference, organised by DawnMedia, has brought together policymakers, international organisations, and industry leaders to discuss climate resilience, energy transition, and sustainable development.
Highlighting Pakistan’s demographic strength, Malik noted that nearly two-thirds of the population comprises young people. “It is their future—they will find the solutions,” he said, while also proposing the establishment of a “green university” in collaboration with international partners to drive climate research and innovation.
Speakers at the conference underscored the urgency of coordinated climate action. Coco Ushiyama of the World Food Programme stressed that climate change is transforming disasters into long-term development challenges, calling for stronger integration of adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
Mohamed Yahya highlighted Pakistan’s dual role as both a victim of climate change and a potential global test case for solutions, noting that recurring floods are causing economic losses equivalent to major financial programmes.
Sherry Rehman drew attention to the environmental cost of global conflicts, describing geopolitics as a growing threat to climate progress and calling for better data on the carbon footprint of wars.
Meanwhile, Nazafreen Saigol Lakhani emphasised the need to prioritise climate adaptation alongside mitigation, urging stronger alignment between government, private sector, communities, and media to tackle the crisis effectively.
Participants agreed that while Pakistan contributes less than 1% to global emissions, it remains among the most climate-vulnerable countries, facing increasing floods, heatwaves, and water stress. The conference continues to serve as a key platform for shaping policy dialogue and accelerating climate action in the country.
