ISLAMABAD: The second edition of the Breathe Pakistan International Climate Change Conference, held by DawnMedia, concluded in Islamabad on Thursday after two days of discussions on climate resilience, adaptation, energy transition, water security, urban planning, agriculture, climate finance and equitable policymaking.
The conference brought together policymakers, parliamentarians, international organisations, climate experts, corporate leaders, academics, development partners and civil society representatives to examine Pakistan’s climate vulnerabilities and the reforms needed to strengthen climate resilience.
Across both days, speakers stressed that climate change was no longer solely an environmental issue, but a broader economic and development challenge requiring coordinated implementation, regional cooperation and long-term planning.
Day 2 of the conference focused on Global South cooperation, climate-smart cities, clean energy transition, private-sector climate leadership, climate equity and provincial climate initiatives. Discussions highlighted the need for climate-responsive urban planning, investment in energy infrastructure, stronger inclusion of vulnerable communities in policymaking, and greater regional collaboration on shared environmental challenges.
The day featured addresses and discussions involving Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi, Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Romina Khurshid Alam, Mohamed Yahya, Shehzad Roy, Sharmila Faruqui, representatives from the UN, UNEP, WHO, Unicef, IFAD, IRENA, IEEFA, SECP, and leaders from Pakistan’s banking, telecom, manufacturing and energy sectors.
In her closing remarks, Dawn CEO Nazafreen Saigol Lakhani thanked speakers, partners, guests and the media for contributing to the conference and helping bring visibility to climate issues. She said the discussions over the two days reinforced that climate change was now a present reality, with Day 1 focusing on its impact on agriculture, water systems and livelihoods, while Day 2 centred on implementation, resilience and equitable climate action.
Highlighting the role of journalism in climate discourse, she said: “At DawnMedia, we recognise that the role of media in this space is essential. Breathe Pakistan is not just about convening conversations but sustaining them and driving accountability.”
Also read:Prince Faisal, Erdogan discuss stronger Saudi-Turkiye cooperation in Ankara
