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ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (APP):The Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to placing climate education, communication and youth-led advocacy at the heart of national climate policy, describing education as a critical driver of resilience, sustainable development and social transformation.
To mark International Education Day 2026, observed globally on January 24, the ministry told APP that for climate-vulnerable countries like Pakistan, education plays a central role in strengthening preparedness as climate shocks increasingly intersect with development pressures, inequality and governance challenges.
International Education Day, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018, recognises education as a fundamental human right and a shared global responsibility essential for peace, dignity and sustainable development.
This year’s theme, “The power of youth in co-creating education,” highlights young people as active partners in shaping education systems amid rapid technological, social and environmental change.
With people under 30 accounting for more than half of the global population, the theme underscores youth as key stakeholders in policies that will shape future livelihoods, resilience and climate outcomes.
Mohammad Saleem Shaikh, Climate Change Education, Communication and Advocacy Outreach Specialist and senior media spokesperson of the ministry, told APP that the government viewed climate education as a strategic investment rather than a standalone sectoral intervention.
“Education is the backbone of Pakistan’s climate response. From classrooms to communities, climate literacy is empowering citizens, especially young people and the media, to understand risks, adopt sustainable behaviours and contribute meaningfully to mitigation and adaptation efforts,” he said.
He said the media played a decisive role in shaping public understanding of climate change. “Responsible and sustained coverage helps translate climate science and policy into public awareness, counters misinformation and keeps climate risks visible beyond disaster moments,” he added.
Pakistan remains among the countries most exposed to extreme weather events, including floods, heatwaves, droughts and glacial lake outburst floods. In this context, the integration of climate change education, awareness, advocacy and media engagement into both formal and informal learning systems has emerged as a key policy priority.
Shaikh stressed that young people were not merely beneficiaries but partners in the design and delivery of climate education. “Our youth are innovators, communicators and community mobilizers. Their involvement strengthens local ownership of climate action and ensures solutions are inclusive and context-driven,” he said.
He noted that the theme of International Education Day 2026 closely aligns with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) framework, which promotes education, public awareness, participation and access to information.
He added that Pakistan’s National Climate Change Policy places strong emphasis on public education and outreach to build awareness of climate risks and protect the country’s natural resources, including water, forests and biodiversity.
According to the ministry, efforts are underway to integrate climate change education across all levels of formal education, along with targeted awareness on pollution, ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss, disaster risk reduction and sustainable production and consumption.
Highlighting the role of the media in climate governance, Mr Shaikh said sustained reporting was essential to building a culture of preparedness and accountability.
“As youth-focused events mark the day worldwide, our message is clear: empowering young people through inclusive, climate-responsive education, supported by responsible media engagement, is no longer optional — it is a national necessity,” he said.