PRCS, German Red Cross Urge Community Voices To Shape COP31 Action
Islamabad, Oct 20: The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and the German Red Cross have called for climate-affected communities to play a greater role in shaping climate decisions and implementation at a pre-COP31 event here on Tuesday.
The event, titled “Community Voice to COP31: From Negotiations to Implementation”, brought together humanitarian partners, diplomats, academics, young people and volunteers to discuss ways to translate global climate commitments into action at the community level.
PRCS Chairperson Farzhana Naek said climate change had become a growing humanitarian crisis, threatening lives, livelihoods, health, food security and water availability, while undermining human dignity.“Community voices must not simply be heard at climate events; they must shape decisions, investments and implementation,” she said.
She called for greater investment in disaster preparedness, anticipatory action, climate adaptation and community resilience. Progress, she added, should be measured by the communities reached, risks reduced, livelihoods protected and lives made safer.
PRCS Secretary General Muhammad Abaidullah Khan said the event provided an opportunity to bring the experiences of climate-affected communities into the global climate dialogue ahead of COP31. He also outlined the society’s climate adaptation initiatives.
Emilio Teijeira, regional representative for Asia at the German Red Cross, highlighted the importance of locally led climate action, saying the concerns of affected communities should be reflected in the outcomes of COP31.
Sajjad Kandhir, head of the PRCS Climate Change Programme, spoke about the programme’s significance and ongoing activities.
A panel discussion brought together experts in humanitarian and emergency response, climate policy, climate finance, adaptation and disaster risk reduction. They discussed ways to strengthen community preparedness and translate climate commitments into action on the ground, followed by a question-and-answer session.
The event also featured a documentary on joint PRCS and German Red Cross initiatives and a theatre performance titled “Tapish”. Its Green Action Hub included a green market, recycling facilities for paper, plastic and metal, and a climate gallery inviting participants to identify what COP31 should deliver for communities affected by climate-related disasters.
Participants recorded their priorities and commitments on a “My Climate Pledge Tree”, while the programme concluded with a plantation drive titled “Plant a Promise”.The organisers said the recommendations gathered during the event would inform the PRCS Climate Message to COP31, aimed at translating global climate commitments into measurable action to strengthen community resilience.
