Youth's role in fight against climate change underscored

Islamabad: The United States on Thursday celebrated the accomplishments of the second group of 24 diverse young leaders from the Empower All Energy Programme, an initiative funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), at a hotel here.

The programme aims to enhance diversity among future energy leaders, particularly women, by connecting them with key stakeholders in the public and private energy sectors and equipping them with the skills needed for success, according to acting USAID Mission Director James Fleming. During the ceremony, he and chairman of the Islamabad Electric Supply Company’s Board of Directors Dr. Tahir Masood presented certificates to engineering graduates from various universities.

Fleming said the programme, launched in 2023 as part of its Power Sector Improvement Activity to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within Pakistan’s energy sector, had already shown promising results with over 60 percent of the first cohort of 20 graduates from 2023 securing jobs and internships in both the public and private energy sectors.

He highlighted the importance of youth's inclusion in combating climate change. “To tackle the global climate crisis, we must leverage the talents of everyone. Young people from diverse backgrounds, especially young women, offer fresh perspectives and skills crucial for climate mitigation, as innovative and sustainable clean energy solutions are needed to transform the global energy sector.”

He said in addition to the programme, the USAID was organising a career expo for STEM graduates to connect with national and international companies and explore career opportunities.