ISLAMABAD: German Ambassador to Pakistan Alfred Grannas on Friday called on youth to actively participate in mitigating impacts of climate change.

He was speaking at an event held to celebrate International Youth Day organised by the Pakistan-German Climate and Energy Partnership in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination.

The event, titled ‘Youth 4 Climate Action: Young Voices, Bold Solutions’, was held to harness the energy and creativity of young individuals towards addressing pressing challenges posed by climate change.

Speaking on the occasion, Alfred Grannas said: “Climate change affects all parts of our society. Therefore, together with our Pakistani partners, we want to amplify voices that are often left unheard, that of the youth.”

International Youth Day was celebrated annually on August 14. However, this year, the event focused on highlighting the importance of young people’s engagement in sustainable development and climate action.

Pakistan-German Climate and Energy Partnership recognised the significant role that the youth played in shaping the future and believed in their potential to drive positive change.

Mujtaba Hussain, who is additional secretary at the Ministry of Climate Change, said: “We want to build a climate resilient Pakistan, as we stand at a critical moment where climate adaptation and mitigation have become the need of the hour. It will be your generation who will have to deal with the consequences of the decisions taken today.”

The event featured a series of engaging activities and thought-provoking discussions for young participants to learn from, to help them become effective advocates for climate action.

Distinguished speakers from across Pakistan shared insights and experiences regarding climate change, gender, vulnerable communities and the role of youth in advancing these issues.

“We are excited to bring together young minds from diverse backgrounds to celebrate International Youth Day with a focus on climate action. The enthusiasm and ideas of the youth are vital in shaping policies and initiatives that drive sustainability and combat climate change,” said Tobias Becker, Country Director, GIZ Pakistan.

The event provided a platform for networking opportunities and fostering dialogue among the youth, climate change-makers working at the grassroots level, and government stakeholders.

The participants also shared actionable solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Pakistan-German Climate and Energy Partnership said it remained committed to supporting initiatives that engaged youth in climate and energy discussions, facilitating knowledge exchange, capacity building and empowerment.

The partnership was a collaborative effort of Germany and Pakistan aimed at fostering sustainable development, climate resilience and clean energy solutions in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2023