Pakistan seeks climate resilient cities, youth empowerment at UN review

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to sustainable, resilient and inclusive urban development at the United Nations High Level Meeting on the Midterm Review of the New Urban Agenda in New York, calling for climate resilient cities and greater youth empowerment to drive shared prosperity, according to a press release received here on Saturday.

Addressing the high level meeting, Rana Mashhood described the Midterm Review as a timely opportunity to assess global progress and renew the international community’s commitment to implementing the New Urban Agenda. He said Pakistan, like many developing countries, is experiencing rapid urbanisation that is placing increasing pressure on housing, transport, public safety and environmental sustainability, making urgent and coordinated action imperative.

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Highlighting Pakistan’s response to climate challenges, he said the country is working with UN Habitat to develop a National Urban Strategy that places climate resilience at the centre of urban planning and development following the devastating urban and riverine floods of 2025 that claimed more than 1,000 lives.

He said Pakistan has reconstructed more than 400,000 homes for displaced families as part of its post flood recovery efforts and remains committed to embedding sustainable and resilient planning standards in national housing policies.

Rana Mashhood said the government is expanding affordable and low emission public transport systems to build cleaner, greener and more accessible cities across the country.

On social protection, Chief PMYP highlighted the continued expansion of the Benazir Income Support Programme, which now serves more than nine million families, while additional support is being extended to low income households in rapidly growing urban areas.

He said Safe City Authorities across Pakistan’s provinces are strengthening public safety through real time surveillance systems and integrated command and control centres.

Emphasising the central role of youth in national development, Rana Mashhood said nearly 67 per cent of Pakistan’s population comprises young people, making investment in education, skills development, employment and entrepreneurship essential for transforming urbanisation into a driver of economic growth and shared prosperity.

He highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, in collaboration with its partners, has launched Uraan Pakistan to connect young people with opportunities for skills development, employment and entrepreneurship.

Concluding his remarks, Rana Mashhood reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to work closely with all United Nations member states, share its experiences in managing rapid urbanisation and contribute to practical and lasting outcomes through the Midterm Review process for the benefit of present and future generations.