Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, addressed the launching ceremony of the Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) in Islamabad. The Climate Finance Accelerator is a UK Government–funded technical assistance initiative aimed at accelerating the mobilisation of climate finance for projects and businesses aligned with Pakistan’s national climate priorities.
Addressing the ceremony, Dr. Musadik Malik emphasised the central role of youth in driving Pakistan’s climate and economic transformation. He stated, “We are a developing economy, and there is an urgent need to empower our youth. If we provide access and opportunities to young people, they can bring about a revolution for this country and for our economy.”
Highlighting international examples, the Minister noted that only a decade ago, Beijing and Shanghai were among the most polluted cities in the world. “Today, China exports nearly 70 percent of the world’s solar technology. What did the Chinese youth have that Pakistani youth lack? It was not talent or ability, it was opportunity,” he said. Dr. Musadik Malik also referred to Finland’s experience, stating that Nordic countries had undertaken revolutionary measures to protect forests and promote environmental sustainability, lessons from which Pakistan could also benefit.
The Minister underscored that programmes such as the Climate Finance Accelerator are critical in providing opportunities to young entrepreneurs and innovators. He briefed the audience on the Ministry’s Green Fields Programme, describing it as a platform where young innovators can pitch climate-focused ideas. “Under Green Fields, the Ministry will connect young entrepreneurs with national and international investors. We have already done this once. taking two Pakistani companies to Seville, Spain, where they pitched their ideas to international investors,” he shared.
Expressing appreciation for development partners, Dr. Musadik Malik said, “I am grateful that DAI is supporting us, not only through technical assistance but also through financial support.” He further stated, “We are going to work with our young people shoulder to shoulder. I want to turn this Ministry into an accelerator for youth, an incubation centre where ideas are nurtured, and scaled.”
