Balochistan’s 14-year-old Zunaira Qayyum named Unicef youth climate advocate

ISLAMABAD: United Nations International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has appointed 14-year-old Zunaira Qayyum as its Youth Advocate for Climate Action and Girls’ Empowerment.

The announcement was made on Friday at Dawn Media’s “Breathe Pakistan Climate Conference”, highlighting Zunaira’s remarkable work as a champion for climate action and child rights.

The appointment encourages children everywhere to speak up and be active leaders for child rights.

Zunaira, hailing from Hub in Balochistan, has represented Pakistan’s youth at national and international forums, including COP 29.

Her research on the impacts of climate change-induced floods on girls’ secondary education in Hub, Balochistan, was recognized as one of the winners of the UNICEF Policy Research Challenge in 2023.

“I am honoured to join Unicef Pakistan as a Youth Advocate to champion children’s rights and well-being. Meaningful change starts with listening to the voices of children and youth and making sure we can participate in decisions that shape our future,” said Zunaira Qayyum.

Talking on the occasion, the UNICEF Representative in Pakistan Abdullah Fadil said, “The climate crisis poses one of the biggest challenges we have ever faced, but when I listen to Zunaira and the children of Pakistan, I find hope and inspiration for the future.”

“We must do more to empower children and young people with opportunities to lead, act, and help this country prosper,” he stated.

A recent UNICEF analysis revealed that climate-induced hazards disrupted schooling for 26 million children in Pakistan in 2024, with 16 million children affected by air pollution in Punjab alone.