PESHAWAR: Youth Convention on Climate Leadership and Collaborative Action successfully brought together leading experts and enthusiastic students to address the climate crisis in Pakistan.
The event was organised at the Business Incubation Center, University of Peshawar, in collaboration with the Student Societies of the University of Peshawar, the Department of Criminology, and Community World Service Asia. The convention began with a welcome address by Prof. Dr. Basharat Hussain, Chairman of the Department of Criminology at the University of Peshawar, followed by an overview presented by Syeda Danish Batool Zaidi, Senior Program Officer at Community World Service Asia. This set the stage for an important discussion on the urgent need for climate action.
The event was moderated by Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Jan, Assistant Professor at the Centre for Preparedness and Disaster Management. The central panel featured prominent figures, including Dr. Bushra Khan, Chairperson of Environmental Sciences and Climate Change Specialist; Dr. Habib Jan, Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Dr. Shakeel Khan, Focal Person of the Green Campus Movement and Circular Economy Specialist; Mr. Kashif Uddin Syed, Bureau Chief of Pashtun Digital and President of the Khyber Union of Journalists; and Dr. Minhas Majeed, Chairperson of the Department of International Relations and Climate Diplomacy Specialist.
The panel discussion focused on key solutions while also highlighting systemic governance issues that hinder regional climate progress. It addressed the complexity of overlapping legal and institutional frameworks, the negative impact of a silo-based approach on service delivery, and ongoing challenges in fund allocation. The speakers strongly emphasised the critical role of youth leadership in driving change, urging young people to promote sustainable practices, advocate for the implementation of stronger climate policies, and prioritise waste reduction.
Following an engaging Q&A session, where attendees raised questions about the local impact of climate change, the convention concluded with closing remarks by Prof. Dr Naeem Qazi, Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Peshawar. The commitment to sustainability was demonstrated through a shield distribution ceremony honouring collaborators and speakers, which was immediately followed by a plantation drive involving all attendees.
