Speaking as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the two-year GUD project, titled “Green Urban Development Cooperation and Youth-led Eco-Entrepreneurship,” Rehman praised the initiative, which was led by the Institute of Urbanism (IoU) and the School of Leadership Foundation (SoLF) with support from the U.S. Embassy Islamabad.
“In climate policy and action, connecting the dots and enabling young people to lead with innovative solutions will ensure positive and lasting outcomes,” Rehman remarked. She emphasized the critical need for climate resilience in Pakistan’s urban areas, particularly as the country experiences an urbanization rate of 3.3%.Rehman applauded the four eco-entrepreneurship startups funded under the GUD project by the U.S. Embassy, which have focused on impactful interventions addressing pressing environmental issues. Highlighting the looming threat of water scarcity in Pakistan, she warned that the country is on track to become water-scarce by 2050, with many regions already facing severe water stress.“There are no plastic collection sites or mechanisms across the federal capital, which is leading to pollution of water and soil, severely damaging marine ecosystems in the oceans and rivers,” she added.Rehman urged the young eco-entrepreneurs to take up the challenge of cleaning the Rawal Dam, where 9 million gallons of toxic waste are dumped daily. She emphasized that this issue requires immediate attention, as the contaminated water is used by local households.“The federal capital has the potential to establish its own circular ecosystem, moving beyond grand climate conferences that often result in little action, to create sustainable solutions that raise awareness among the masses,” she said.Minister Counselor for Public Diplomacy at the U.S. Embassy, Lisa Swenarsk, also addressed the event, commending the GUD project for fostering partnerships between key stakeholders and creating green solutions. She highlighted the importance of collaboration between the U.S. and Pakistan on climate action, noting that the younger generation will bear the brunt of climate change impacts.“These youth-led eco-startups show that Pakistan’s innovators are leading the way in addressing climate challenges, paving the path for a better future,” Swenarsk said. She added that the U.S. Mission has supported numerous initiatives, including the Green Pakistan Alliance Program, which is investing millions of dollars to address the climate crisis.The event also showcased innovative projects such as the Sarsabz Qadam project, which generates electricity through walking, developed by architects from COMSATS University. This project converts kinetic energy from footsteps into electric current, offering a practical solution for sustainable energy generation.A panel discussion followed, featuring key stakeholders, including Sardar Khan Zimri, Director General of Water Management at the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Muhammad Bilal Yameen, Deputy Manager of Operations at Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC), and Dr. Ejaz Ahmed from the Institute of Urbanism.The GUD project has not only empowered young minds but also paved the way for scalable solutions to address Pakistan’s pressing environmental challenges, offering hope for a greener and more sustainable future.