The DICE Forum, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Hold Climate Inclusion Seminar
PESHAWAR: April 13,
The DICE Forum, in collaboration with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, organised a seminar on “Climate Change and Inclusion” on Monday, marking the beginning of a broader series of expert roundtable discussions on climate change.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, the chief guest, stressed the need for people-centred policies to address climate challenges, particularly in vulnerable regions like KP, and called for integrating resilience, social equity and sustainable development into policymaking.
Pakistan is among the most climate-vulnerable countries, contributing less than 1% to global emissions, according to Reuters. The 2022 Pakistan floods affected over 33 million people and caused losses exceeding $30 billion, as reported by the World Bank, with over 1,700 deaths recorded by Encyclopaedia Britannica. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, exposure to floods, landslides, and glacial hazards remains high, according to the National Disaster Management Authority. Climate impacts are also threatening agriculture and food security, with rising risks to livelihoods and economic stability, the World Bank notes.
Chairperson of the DICE Forum, Aliya Agha, said that youth must be placed at the centre of climate discourse, noting that they are among the most affected groups while also often serving as first responders in times of crisis.
Speakers including Shagufta Malik, Dr. Rabia Gul, Dr. Sumera Shams, Dr. Khalid Khan and Dr. Zubair Khan emphasised gender-responsive policies, community-led resilience, and improved access to climate finance for marginalised communities.
Participants highlighted the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and stressed the need for proactive disaster risk reduction, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable water management practices.
Awards were also presented to Azmat and Muhammad Hilal Khan in recognition of their services to humanity, particularly for saving lives during the 2025 floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The role of the private sector was acknowledged, with ZLK Group supporting and organizing the dialogue on climate resilience and inclusive growth.
The seminar concluded with a call for sustained collaboration among public institutions, private sector stakeholders and policy platforms such as the DICE Forum to advance inclusive climate action.
