ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s first woman to have climbed Mount Everest, Samina Baig has been appointed the National Goodwill Ambassador for Pakistan by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The renowned mountaineer, 23, will lead efforts to build national awareness and partnerships around Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly those related to climate change, environmental protection and women’s empowerment, APP reported.
Born in Gilgit-Baltistan, at the age of 22, Baig became the first Pakistani woman to scale Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world.
On UNDP selection, Baig while addressing the ceremony said: “I am greatly honoured to be part of UNDP”.
“From the remotest village of Pakistan and reaching the summit of the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest, and beyond the borders, scaling a peak in Antarctica and the seven highest peaks of the seven continents, in some of the harshest conditions, my entire climbing purpose was to empower women through these adventures and encourage gender equality.”
“With my brother, I have experienced the significant impact of global warming and climate change on our mother earth”, added the mountaineer.
“UNDP’s national goodwill ambassadors are inspirational women and men who serve as spokespersons to uphold the United Nations Charter and the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Baig further.
United Nations Resident Coordinator in Pakistan Neil Buhne expressing his remarks on the event said, “Pakistan is amongst the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change”.
“Preparing for its effects, and instituting environmental protection, will safeguard economic development for future generations. Moreover, half of Pakistan’s population, its women, are under-represented in education, the workforce and in decision-making. Empowering women to play their full role in society is not only an ethical imperative, it is essential for sustainable development,” added Buhne.
“UNDP’s National Goodwill Ambassadors are leaders in their societies and role models for us all.
“As the national goodwill ambassador for Pakistan, Baig will use her profile to highlight issues that shape Pakistan’s future, and build the partnerships required to address them,” said UNDP Pakistan Country Director Ignacio Artaza.
Government of Pakistan honoured Baig with the Pride of Performance award and now she heads Pakistan Youth Outreach Foundation to motivate youth, especially women, to take part in outdoor activities.
