Seminar on Climate Change, Youth’s Role in Mitigating it’s impacts urges for fostering community resilience in AJK:

English , Kashmir - آزاد جموں کشمیر , Snippets , / Wednesday, November 27th, 2024

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Altaf Hamid Rao.

MIRPUR ( AJK): November 27: Day-long seminar on Climate Change and Youth’s Role in Mitigating it’s impacts urged for the urgent need for youth-led climate action and fostering community resilience in Azad Jammu Kashmir.

The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) State Branch in collaboration with University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (UAJK) organized a seminar on “Climate Change and the Role of Youth in addressing it’s impacts” at University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir jehlum Valley Campus Hattian in Muzaffarabad Division on Tuesday.

The event was aimed to emphasise the critical need for youth-led climate action and fostering community resilience in AJK.

Over two hundred students including male and female from different faculties of university attended the seminar.

The Commissioner Muzaffarabad Division Masood Ur Rehman honoured the seminar as Chief Guest. Besides, Director Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Dr. Shafique Abbasi, Deputy Commissioner Jehlum Valley Ishfaq Gillani, Director Operations State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) Saeed Ur Rehman Qureshi, Director University of AJK Imtiaz Awan, Superintendent of Police Mirza Zahid, Assistant Commissioner Jehlum Valley also attended the Seminar.

While addressing the seminar, the Commissioner Muzaffarabad Division said that Pakistan Red Crescent Society AJK State Branch has always played pivotal role during disaster and emergencies. Applauding the humanitarian efforts of PRCS AJK Mr. Rehman further said that PRCS has taken a great initiative to engage youth through different events and training programs. Moreover, the Commissioner said, the climate change is one of the most pressing challenge for Pakistan that needs to be prioritised.

“Climate Change is not just an environmental issue; it is a challenge that impacts our economy, health, and future generations. The youth hold the power to drive the change. I commend PRCS AJK for empowering our young minds to take on this responsibility”, he stated.
The Secretary Pakistan Red Crescent Society AJK, while addressing the seminar emphasized the organization commitment to climate action.

“PRCS AJK has always prioritized community resilience and disaster preparedness. Today’s seminar on Climate is a testament to our belief in youth as catalyst for change”, she added.

Emphasising the role of youth in addressing the climate change impacts, MS Fatima stressed that it is a collective responsibility of youth to work together to minimise the impacts of climate change.

She further said that MoU had already been signed between PRCS AJK and University of AJK on Climate Action.

The Secretary PRCS also thanked the Administration of UAJK for collaborative efforts to organise a seminar.

Adding depth to the discussions, Director Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) delivered a comprehensive session on the environmental challenges posed by climate change.

The Director Operations State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), Saeed Ur Rehman Qureshi, also spoke at the event. He emphasized the importance of strategic collaboration.

“Building resilience against climate change requires a multi-sectoral approach. Youth-led initiatives, combined with strategic planning, can significantly reduce the vulnerabilities of our communities.” he added.

Earlier, the Director UAJK Imtiaz Awan in his opening remarks welcomed guests and reiterated to support and organise such events in collaboration with PRCS AJK.

The PRCS Staff members, Programme and Disaster Management Manager Naveed Awan, Programme Coordinator Yasir Josh, Spokesperson Adnan Qureshi, Human Resource Manager Mokhtar Qureshi, Youth and Volunteers Officer Tahira Kazmi were also present on this occasion.