News Desk |
Pakistani mountaineer Samina Baig has been appointed as the United Nation Development Programme’s goodwill ambassador to Pakistan on Monday.
Samina Baig is the first Pakistani woman to have climbed Mount Everest. She in her capacity as a goodwill ambassador will work towards the goals of raising awareness on climate change and environmental protection as part of the ‘Sustainable Development Goals’. She through this platform will seek to propagate the message of women empowerment in Pakistan.
“Pakistan is amongst the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change,” said United Nations Resident Coordinator in Pakistan Neil Buhne.
“Preparing for its effects, and instituting environmental protection, will safeguard economic development for future generations. Moreover, half of Pakistan’s population, its women, are under-represented in education, the workforce and in decision-making. Empowering women to play their full role in society is not only an ethical imperative, it is essential for sustainable development,” added Buhne.
“UNDP’s National goodwill ambassadors are leaders in their societies and role models for us all.
Read more: Elite climbers and Pak military rescue French mountaineer
“As the national goodwill ambassador for Pakistan, Baig will use her profile to highlight issues that shape Pakistan’s future, and build the partnerships required to address them,” said UNDP Pakistan Country Director Ignacio Artaza.
Samina Baig currently heads Pakistan Youth Outreach Foundation that encourages youth particularly women to take part in outdoor games.
International organizations have placed Pakistan amongst the most vulnerable countries towards climate changes. As anticipated global warming and rise in temperatures will adversely impact the whole ecosystem. That is already reflected in terms of reduced annual rainfall in Pakistan. Climate changes can further damage the rain-fed agriculture that constitutes a major portion of economic output in Pakistan.
“I am greatly honored to be part of UNDP,” said Baig.
“From the remotest village of Pakistan and reaching the summit of the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest, and beyond the borders, scaling a peak in Antarctica and the seven highest peaks of the seven continents, in some of the harshest conditions, my entire climbing purpose was to empower women through these adventures and encourage gender equality.”
Read more: Why has Nepal banned solo travellers from climbing Everest?
“With my brother, I have experienced the significant impact of global warming and climate change on our mother earth,” added the mountaineer.
“UNDP’s national goodwill ambassadors are inspirational women and men who serve as spokespersons to uphold the United Nations Charter and the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Baig further.