ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), with the support of the German Red Cross, organised a Pre-COP31 event titled “Community Voice to COP31: from Negotiations to Implementation” at its National Headquarters, bringing together humanitarian partners, diplomats, academia, youth and volunteers to highlight the experiences of climate-affected communities ahead of the 31st Conference of the Parties.
The event was aimed at carrying the concerns, experiences and aspirations of vulnerable communities into the global climate dialogue and focusing attention on the need to move from negotiations to implementation.
Welcoming the guests, PRCS Chairperson Mrs Farzhana Naek said climate change had become a growing humanitarian crisis, affecting lives, livelihoods, health, food security, water availability and human dignity.
“Community voices must not simply be heard at climate events; they must shape decisions, investments and implementation,” she said.
Mrs Naek called for greater investment in preparedness, anticipatory action, climate adaptation and community resilience. She said progress should be measured by “communities reached, risks reduced, livelihoods protected and lives made safer.”
PRCS Secretary General Mr Muhammad Abaidullah Khan said the event provided an opportunity to turn the experience of climate-affected communities into a clear voice ahead of COP31. He briefed participants on the event zones and PRCS climate adaptation initiatives.
He said that under the leadership of the chairperson, the transformation of PRCS continued to make the Society more vibrant, transparent, accountable and sustainable.
Speaking on the occasion, German Red Cross Regional Representative Asia Mr Emilio Teijeira appreciated PRCS climate action.
“The German Red Cross is proud to stand with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society. Its work on community resilience, early action and adaptation shows what locally led climate action looks like in practice. As COP31 approaches, we must ensure that the voices of affected communities are reflected in its outcomes,” he said.
Mr Sajjad Kandhir, Head of the Climate Change Programme, spoke about the importance of the programme and its ongoing activities.
The event was organised across three zones. Participants watched a documentary on joint PRCS and German Red Cross initiatives and a theatre performance titled “Tapish”.
A panel discussion brought together experts from humanitarian and emergency response, climate policy, climate finance and adaptation, and disaster risk reduction and resilience. The panellists shared views on strengthening community preparedness and translating climate commitments into local action. The discussion was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session.
Mr Asif Aman of the German Red Cross in Pakistan thanked the panellists for their insights and contributions and appreciated the participants for their active engagement.
The Green Action Hub featured a Green Market with a Collection and Reward Booth, recycling booths for paper, plastic and metal, and a Climate Gallery asking what COP31 should deliver for communities facing calamities.
Guests also placed their key asks and commitments on the My Climate Pledge Tree. The programme concluded with the “Plant a Promise” plantation drive.
The key takeaways and asks from the event will inform PRCS’s Climate Message to COP31, aimed at helping turn global ambition into meaningful, measurable and sustainable local action.
