ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), with support from 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.
The event was aimed at carrying the concerns, aspirations and lived realities of vulnerable communities into the global climate conversation before the 31st Conference of the Parties.
Welcoming the participants, 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.
She stressed that community voices should not merely be heard at climate events, but must influence decisions, investments and implementation. She called for increased investment in preparedness, anticipatory action, climate adaptation and community resilience, adding that progress should be measured by “communities reached, risks reduced, livelihoods protected and lives made safer.”
PRCS Secretary General Mr Muhammad Abaidullah Khan said the gathering provided an opportunity to turn the experiences of climate-affected communities into a clear message for COP31. He briefed the participants on the event zones and PRCS climate adaptation initiatives.
He also noted that, under the leadership of the chairperson, the transformation of PRCS was continuing to make the Society more vibrant, transparent, accountable and sustainable.
German Red Cross Regional Representative Asia Mr Emilio Teijeira appreciated the climate action being undertaken by PRCS. He said the German Red Cross was proud to stand with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, adding that its work on community resilience, early action and adaptation demonstrated locally led climate action in practice.
“As COP31 approaches, we must ensure that the voices of affected communities are reflected in its outcomes,” he said.
Head of the Climate Change Programme Mr Sajjad Kandhir spoke about the importance of the programme and its ongoing activities.
The event was arranged across three zones. Participants viewed a documentary on joint initiatives of PRCS and the German Red Cross, along with a theatre performance titled “Tapish.”
A panel discussion featured experts from humanitarian and emergency response, climate policy, climate finance and adaptation, and disaster risk reduction and resilience. The panel shared views on improving community preparedness and converting climate commitments into local action. The session was followed by an interactive question-and-answer segment.
Mr Asif Aman of the German Red Cross in Pakistan thanked the panelists for their insights and contributions, and appreciated the participants for their active involvement.
The Green Action Hub included 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 demands 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 contribute to PRCS’s Climate Message to COP31, aimed at helping translate global ambition into meaningful, measurable and sustainable local action.
