From February 11–14, 2026, the UNESCO team in Pakistan, represented by Syed Muhammad Raza Shah and Ghazala Naeem, conducted a mission to Karachi, Sindh, to strengthen climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and science-driven collaboration. The mission coincided with the Asia-Pacific Shelter and Settlements Forum (APSSF) 2026, which brought together governments, development agencies, humanitarian organizations, and technical experts to address climate-induced hazards, sustainable housing, disaster risk reduction, and the role of science and technology in building resilient communities. For Pakistan, highly vulnerable to floods and other climate-related disasters, the forum provided a critical platform to examine institutional challenges, coordination gaps, and opportunities to integrate science, governance, and communication systems.
During the mission, UNESCO engaged with multiple stakeholders to explore collaboration under its programs, including the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme and STEM-related initiatives. A key discussion on February 11 with Riaz Ahmed Wagan, Chief Conservator of Forests, focused on the potential nomination of the Indus Delta as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The team emphasized the importance of scientific justification, interdepartmental coordination, and community engagement to ensure that the nomination is credible, sustainable, and aligned with global standards.
Participation in the APSSF opening and technical sessions on February 12 allowed the UNESCO team to observe policy discussions on climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable settlements. The sessions highlighted regional innovations and cross-sectoral strategies to enhance community-centered resilience, offering insights into practical approaches to strengthen adaptive capacities.
UNESCO also held targeted meetings to address governance, operational, and communication challenges. Discussions with media specialists highlighted the absence of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for early warning dissemination and the need to strengthen journalists’ capacity for hazard communication. Meetings with the Provincial Ombudsman’s Office and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Sindh identified coordination gaps, weak institutional frameworks, limited community trust, and operational constraints at the district level. The mission emphasized the importance of institutionalized communication systems with clearly defined protocols alongside informal networks used for rapid information exchange.
On February 13, participation in APSSF plenary and technical sessions reinforced the importance of combining science, policy, and practice to strengthen resilience at both community and institutional levels. On February 14, a visit to The Dawood Foundation MagnifiScience Centre explored potential collaborations on STEM education, Women in Science initiatives, and World Science Day celebrations. Discussions with Dr. Noman Ahmad from NED University highlighted overlapping departmental mandates, governance challenges, and gaps in public trust that limit the effectiveness of early warning systems.
The UNESCO mission concluded that addressing climate risks and building sustainable settlements in Sindh requires integrated approaches that combine science, governance, community engagement, and effective communication. Strengthening partnerships under UNESCO’s MAB Programme and STEM initiatives, along with improved coordination between technical agencies, media, and communities, will be essential to promoting resilience and sustainable development across the region.
