Unicef, govt vow to prioritise children in climate resilience agenda

Islamabad:The United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) has sounded the alarm for immediate steps to shield Pakistan’s children from mounting climate threats, emphasising the reinforcement of critical public services to secure their future.

During a meeting with Climate Change Minister Senator Musadik Masood Malik on Thursday, Unicef Representative in Pakistan Abdullah Fadil said that children remained among the most vulnerable to climate impacts—both in Pakistan and globally.

“There is an urgent need to build resilience in essential services, particularly in education, health, and water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, to safeguard the well-being and future of Pakistan’s youth,” he said.

The two discussed evidence-based policy measures to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on children’s social and economic conditions. They also emphasised the importance of enhanced cooperation to protect children from worsening climate challenges.

Fadil noted that Unicef’s current programmes in Pakistan were reaching nearly six million children, aiming to safeguard their health, support their development and equip them with skills to become empowered contributors to the country's progress. Minister Malik appreciated the ongoing Unicef support and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to placing children and youth at the centre of Pakistan’s climate action agenda.

He called for increased investment in the socio-economic development of youth, equipping them to become powerful agents of change, climate leaders and key contributors to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.