FCDO Delegation and International Experts Visit Karakoram International University; “Youth for Climate” Event Highlights Role of Young Leaders in Tackling Climate Challenges
Independent Report
Gilgit, October 20, 2025:
A high-level delegation from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), along with representatives of the British Embassy, WWF Germany, WWF Pakistan, and other international experts, visited Karakoram International University (KIU) to discuss joint initiatives on climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable natural-resource management.
According to the KIU Public Relations Department, the delegation met Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Ataullah Shah, who briefed the visitors on the university’s ongoing research on glacial melting, habitat restoration, and community-based conservation projects. He underlined that KIU’s efforts not only advance scientific understanding but also promote environmental awareness among local communities, helping to ensure a safer future for the next generations.
The delegation also toured the university’s Center for Biodiversity Conservation and Natural Resource Management, where they reviewed data-driven research on biodiversity hotspots and collaborative partnerships with regional and global organizations. They commended KIU’s pioneering contributions to environmental conservation and disaster-management research, expressing a desire to expand cooperation, explore joint funding, and scale up climate-related initiatives.
On the same day, KIU hosted an event titled “Youth for Climate”, organized in collaboration with Youth for Climate Pakistan, the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan, and UNICEF. The event encouraged students to develop practical, youth-led solutions to regional environmental challenges, such as water insecurity from glacial melt and deforestation in fragile mountain ecosystems.
Addressing the participants, Vice Chancellor Dr. Ataullah Shah, EPA Director General Nazia Zia Ali, and other speakers emphasized that Pakistan’s youth are central to achieving a sustainable, climate-resilient future. They urged young people to adopt innovation, optimism, and leadership in tackling environmental issues, stressing that initiatives like Youth for Climate demonstrate how education and action can unite to combat the global climate crisis.
