Islamabad: Shehersaaz, in partnership with UN-Habitat and the Adaptation Fund, marked World Habitat Day with a community-focused event at the Ramada Hotel. The gathering explored the theme “Urban Solutions to the Climate Crisis,” attracting government officials, urban planners, and sustainability advocates to discuss how cities can spearhead climate action.
The event commenced with networking and was formally opened by Mr. Jawed Ali Khan from UN-Habitat, who highlighted Pakistan’s recent climate challenges and the urgent need for resilient urban planning. Ms. Almas Shakoor, from Shehersaaz, emphasized the impact of rapid urbanization and advocated for participatory governance and climate resilience initiatives.
Video addresses from global leaders underlined the need for sustainable urbanization. Mr. Idrees Mehsud from NDMA shared Pakistan’s strategies for managing urban climate risks, while Mr. Khalid Hafeez from CDA detailed initiatives like recharge wells and electric vehicle infrastructure aimed at modernizing Islamabad.
Ms. Nusrat Masab of the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat stressed the importance of empowering marginalized communities in urban planning.
The event celebrated youth engagement through an art competition and a theatre performance by students, which creatively addressed environmental issues. A panel discussion followed, focusing on actionable solutions for sustainable urbanization, with experts proposing strategies like protecting agricultural land and enhancing disaster management.
Concluding the event, Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal reiterated the urgency of addressing urban displacement and promoting sustainable urban growth. The event underscored the collective responsibility to build resilient cities, with Shehersaaz and UN-Habitat fostering collaboration and awareness for climate action.