ISLAMABAD, Oct 20 (APP):The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), with support from the German Red Cross, has brought climate-affected communities’ concerns and priorities into the global climate debate by holding a Pre-COP31 event at its National Headquarters in Islamabad, urging policymakers to translate climate commitments into practical action to protect lives, livelihoods and vulnerable populations.
Titled “Community Voice to COP31: From Negotiations to Implementation,” the event brought together humanitarian partners, diplomats, academics, youth, volunteers and climate experts to discuss community resilience, disaster preparedness, climate adaptation and the implementation of global climate commitments ahead of the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31).
Welcoming participants, PRCS Chairperson Farzhana Naek said climate change had become a growing humanitarian crisis affecting health, food security, water availability, livelihoods and human dignity.
She stressed that communities must not merely be heard at climate events but should also help shape decisions, investments and implementation strategies.
She called for greater investment in preparedness, anticipatory action, climate adaptation and community resilience, emphasising that progress should be measured through tangible improvements in people’s safety and livelihoods.
PRCS Secretary General Muhammad Abaidullah Khan said the event provided an opportunity to turn the experiences of climate-affected communities into a collective message ahead of COP31.
He also highlighted the society’s climate adaptation initiatives and said its ongoing transformation was aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, institutional sustainability and operational effectiveness.
Emilio Teijeira, Regional Representative Asia at the German Red Cross, appreciated PRCS’s climate action and reaffirmed his organisation’s support for community led resilience and adaptation initiatives.
He emphasised the need to ensure that the experiences and concerns of affected communities were reflected in COP31 outcomes.
Sajjad Kandhir, Head of the PRCS Climate Change Programme, briefed participants on the programme’s importance and ongoing activities.
The event featured three zones showcasing climate awareness, community engagement and environmental action. Participants watched a documentary highlighting joint PRCS and German Red Cross initiatives and a theatre performance titled “Tapish”.
A panel discussion brought together experts in humanitarian response, climate policy, climate finance, adaptation, disaster risk reduction and resilience.
The discussion focused on strengthening community preparedness and translating international climate commitments into practical action at the local level, followed by an interactive question-and-answer session.
The Green Action Hub featured a Green Market, recycling booths for paper, plastic and metal, and a Climate Gallery highlighting expectations from COP31 for communities affected by climate-related disasters.
Participants also shared their priorities and commitments through a “My Climate Pledge Tree”, while a plantation drive titled “Plant a Promise” marked the conclusion of the programme.
PRCS official said the key messages and recommendations emerging from the event would inform its Climate Message to COP31, aimed at promoting meaningful, measurable and sustainable action at the community level.
Source: APP (Associated Press of Pakistan)
