The Youth Convention on Climate Leadership and Collaborative Action successfully mobilized leading experts and passionate students to address the climate crisis in Pakistan.
The event, held on October 22, 2025, at the Business Incubation Center, University of Peshawar was jointly organized by the Students Societies, University of Peshawar in collaboration with Department of Criminology and the Community World Service Asia.
The convention opened with a welcome address by Prof. Dr. Basharat Hussain, Chairman, Department of Criminology, University of Peshawar and an overview by Syeda Danish Batool Zaidi, Senior Program Officer Community World Service Asia which immediately set the stage for a crucial discussion on the urgency of climate action. Moderated by Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Jan, Assistant Professor, Centre for Preparedness and Disaster Management.
The central panel featured prominent figures including Dr. Bushra Khan, Chairperson, Environmental Sciences, and Climate Change Specialist; Dr. Habib Jan, Director, EPA, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Dr. Shakeel Khan, Focal Person, Green Campus Movement, and Circular Economy Specialist; Mr. Kashif Uddin Syed, Bureau Chief, Pashtun Digital and President, Khyber Union of Journalists, and Dr. Minhas Majeed, Chairperson, Department of International Relations and Climate Diplomacy Specialist.
The panel discussion not only focused on key solutions but also highlighted systemic governance issues impeding regional climate progress, specifically addressing the complexity of parallel legal and institutional frameworks, the negative impact of a silos-based approach on service delivery, and persistent challenges in fund allocation that necessitate moving beyond a limited trickle-down approach for community engagement.
The speakers strongly and unanimously emphasized the critical role of youth leadership in driving change, urging them to promote sustainable practices, advocate for stronger climate policies implementation, and prioritize waste reduction.
Following an engaged Q&A session where participants raised questions about climate change’s local impact, the convention concluded with closing remarks by Prof. Dr. Naeem Qazi, Pro Vice Chancellor, University of Peshawar.
The commitment to sustainability was physically demonstrated through a shield distribution ceremony honouring collaborators and speakers, which was immediately followed by a plantation drive involving all attendees.
