UNICEF has appointed 14-year-old Zunaira Qayyum as its Youth Advocate for Climate Action and Girls’ Empowerment in Pakistan, a significant milestone for the young climate activist and advocate for child rights.
Hailing from Hub, Balochistan, Zunaira has been a passionate voice for climate action, representing Pakistan’s youth on both national and international stages, including at the recent COP 29 conference.
Zunaira’s appointment and her work serves as an inspiring example of the power of youth in shaping a sustainable future.
The announcement of her appointment was made at the Dawn Media Breathe Pakistan Climate Conference, where Zunaira’s work and commitment to children’s rights and climate action were recognized. As UNICEF’s Youth Advocate, Zunaira is now tasked with encouraging young people to raise their voices and take leadership roles in advocating for the rights and well-being of children, particularly in the face of climate change challenges.
“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,” Zunaira said, expressing her enthusiasm for the new role.
Zunaira has already demonstrated her dedication to climate action through her impactful research on the effects of climate change-induced floods on girls’ secondary education in Hub, Balochistan. This research earned recognition as one of the winners of the UNICEF Policy Research Challenge in 2023. Her work highlights the intersection of climate change and education, with particular focus on how environmental challenges are disrupting girls’ ability to access quality education.
In addition to her research, Zunaira has used UNICEF’s Youth Advocacy Guide to train adolescents in her community of Hub, Balochistan, on key skills such as advocacy, policy engagement, and network-building for climate-related campaigns. Her advocacy efforts aim to empower young people to become active agents of change, especially in the context of climate justice.
The climate crisis has posed significant challenges to children in Pakistan, particularly as extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and heatwaves have become more frequent and destructive. UNICEF’s recent analysis shows that in 2024 alone, climate-induced hazards disrupted schooling for 26 million children across the country. In addition to direct impacts like flooding, the secondary effects of climate change, such as air pollution, have compounded these challenges. In Punjab, for example, 16 million children were unable to attend school in November 2024 due to toxic air from pollution.
“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,” said Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan. “We must do more to empower children and young people with opportunities to lead, act and help this country prosper. We are honoured to welcome Zunaira as a UNICEF Youth Advocate as we work to safeguard children’s futures.”
Zunaira’s commitment to climate action has also earned her a place on the global stage. At COP 29 in Azerbaijan, she was one of the youngest delegates present, delivering a powerful message to world leaders about the urgent need for climate policies that prioritize children’s futures. At COP29, Zunaira stated: “I stand here on behalf of all children around the globe who need and deserve a safe, stable, and sustainable future. We need you to commit to policies that protect children, prioritize education, and recognize the importance of peace in climate action.”