The Climate Governance and Journalism Fellowship Program concluded on January 24, 2025, at the Business Incubation Center of the University of Peshawar. The event featured senior journalist and anchor Javed Iqbal as the guest of honor for the closing ceremony.
Javed Iqbal emphasized the devastating impacts of climate change, particularly the lack of public awareness contributing to massive economic losses. He cited the 2022 floods in Pakistan, which caused damages amounting to $32 billion, as a stark example of the challenges posed by climate change. He urged students and media professionals to take on the responsibility of raising awareness and prioritizing environmental issues over political discourse, which often dominates Pakistani media.
Javed Iqbal also highlighted the global dynamics of climate governance, referencing the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the need for developed countries to fulfill their responsibilities toward climate-vulnerable nations like Pakistan. He stressed the importance of international funding and collaboration for climate-affected countries and the role of research in agriculture, science, and technology to mitigate climate impacts.
The event concluded with the distribution of certificates to graduating fellows. Faculty members, including Dr. Bashri and Dr. Bakht Zaman, were also present at the ceremony.
