A three-day, first-of-its-kind Action Lab on "Inspiring Leadership for Sustainable Development", organised by Leadership for Environment and Development (LEAD) Pakistan, says a press release received here on Monday.
The opening ceremony was attended by more than 200 prominent national and international economists, environmentalists, UN representatives, and high level government officials from diverse fields such as education, health, commerce, finance, social sector, representatives from NGOs and members of the intelligentsia.
The CEO LEAD Pakistan and Regional Director Asia, Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), Ali Tauqeer Sheikh said that climate change has an impact on every conceivable sector of human life. Stressing upon the gravity of climate change-related challenges, CEO LEAD said that each disaster is hampering our capacity to bounce back to life.
Chairman LEAD Pakistan and Managing Director Hagler Bailly (Pvt) Pakistan, Vaqar Zakaria emphasised on the importance of every single individual in adapting to climate change. On an optimistic note, he stated that climate change is also providing opportunities for development.
In his keynote address, member Board of Governors, LEAD Pakistan and Vice-Chancellor LUMS, Professor Dr Adil Najam identified economic integrity, economic development and equity and justice as being the key milestones in the journey towards sustainable development. Emphasising on the development challenges facing South Asia, Dr Najam said that there is an immense need to make climate adaptation systemic.
He said that the developing countries need to take proactive steps towards the climate change debate internationally and be active contributors rather than passive receivers. Earlier, officials of BBC Trust held a meeting with prominent journalists of Pakistan and discussed various climate change issues facing the country and the way in which Pakistani media can raise awareness on them.-PR