ISLAMABAD: In a significant move to protect children from the escalating impacts of climate change, the government, in collaboration with Unicef, on Saturday pledged to prioritise child-centric climate resilience and adaptation strategies.

During an important memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony at the Pakistan Pavilion at the COP29 Climate Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, Cli­­mate Secretary Aisha Humera Moriani and Unicef Deputy Executive Director Kitty van der Heijden endorsed the Declaration on Children, Youth, and Climate Action.

A statement issued here said this global commitment aimed to address the needs of children and youth affected by climate challenges.

Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam stressed the urgency of the initiative.

“Recognising the vulnerability of 112 million children in Pakistan to climate-induced disasters, the government is committed to integrating child rights into our climate policies, including the upcoming Nationally Determined Contributions 3.0,” she said.

Highlighting priorities, Romina Alam underscored the need for sustainable infrastructure to protect schools and communities, enhanced access to education, health and nutrition services in climate-hit areas, and empowering children as agents of change in climate action.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah emphasised adapting education to the realities of climate change.

“Our curriculum must prepare the next generation for a green economy and a rapidly changing world,” he added.

The partnership comes as Pakistan faces intensified climate crises, including regular flooding and extreme heatwaves, which disproportionately affect children.

Rising greenhouse gas emissions and short-lived pollutants threaten their health, education and well-being.

Unicef Deputy Executive Dir­e­ctor Van der Heijden called for increased investment in social sec­tors, noting that children compr­ise 46pc of Pakistan’s population.

She criticised the limited allocation of global climate finance for children, urging leaders to address this gap.

Provincial governments from Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also pled­ged to support child-centric policies and programmes.

Community-based initiatives and the inclusion of young voices in policymaking are expected to drive these efforts forward.

The statement said with this alliance, Pakistan and Unicef aimed to ensure a safer, more resilient future for the country’s youngest and most vulnerable citizens.

This initiative aligned with global calls at COP29 to prioritise children’s needs and amplify their voices in shaping climate policies.

Published in Dawn, November 17th, 2024