October 28, 2024
Staff Report
LAHORE
Youth leaders from across Pakistan gathered for an inspiring day revolving around climate action, at the launch of the first ever festival called ‘SANGAM’ – The Festival of Confluence. The initiative is a first ever and was organized by the Youth General Assembly’s (YGA) Climate Forum, along with Salzburg Global Seminar, the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, and with support from the Nippon Foundation. The event was held at the Aiwan-e-Iqbal Complex and young people came together to address climate-induced conflicts, enhance resilience, and foster regional harmony. The festival featured a dynamic mix of formal and informal sessions that empowered participants with the knowledge, leadership skills, and networking opportunities to collaboratively tackle pressing climate challenges.
Bakhtawar Ahmad, the Founding Director of the YGA Climate Forum, highlighted SANGAM’s role in enabling youth to advocate for climate policy solutions at global forums, and contribute to shaping policies for sustainable change.
A key highlight of the event was the Policy Competition, focusing on climate-induced conflicts and the necessity for Southasian nations to address climate challenges harmoniously. Participants presented innovative policy solutions through a specialized toolkit, impressing a distinguished panel of judges that included Dr. Kinza Chaudhry, Climate Analyst and Researcher, Samaviya Sajjad, Advocate High Court and Climate Policy Expert, and Iqbal Haider Butt, Programme Advisor at Bargad. The competition demonstrated the youth’s creative capacity and commitment to driving practical solutions for climate resilience.
An Oxford-style debate further engaged participants, inviting spirited discourse on how the last generation is responsible for climate change.
The event also welcomed green corporate representatives, including Mustafa Nasir from Al Qawi Groups and Adeel Alam from Alam Solars, who discussed the critical role that eco-friendly companies and startups play in advocating for climate change and creating a sustainable future. Their insights offered participants a practical view of climate advocacy and the importance of industry collaboration in advancing environmental goals.
SANGAM provided invaluable opportunities for youth to expand their networks by connecting with corporate leaders, climate advocates, and fellow activists. This interaction attempted to build awareness and forged future collaborations, strengthening the collective movement for climate action in Pakistan.
SANGAM is expected to expand into Nepal, and aim to grow its reach across Southasia to bring youth-driven climate solutions.