'Empowering women': UNDP appoints mountaineer Samina Baig as National Goodwill Ambassador
'I find this honour as the national goodwill Ambassador of UNDP to spread the voice for climate change and environmental protection and advocate empowering young girls to climb the highest level within their field of profession.' Photo: UNDP
(Dunya News) - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has appointed Pakistan’s mountaineer, Samina Baig, as their National Goodwill Ambassador for Pakistan.
As a goodwill ambassador, Baig will be leading efforts to build awareness around climate change, environmental protection, sustainable development goals and women rights.
The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Pakistan, Neil Buhne, said “Pakistan is amongst the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change. Preparing for its effects, and instituting environmental protections, will safeguard economic development for future generations.”
“Empowering women to play their full role in society is not only an ethical imperative, it is essential for sustainable development,” said Buhne.
“UNDP’s National Goodwill Ambassadors are leaders in their societies, and role models for us all. As the National Goodwill Ambassador for Pakistan, Ms Baig will use her profile to shine a light on the issues that shape Pakistan’s future, and build the partnerships required to address them,” said UNDP Pakistan Country Director Ignacio Artaza.
Welcome to the #UNDP family, @SaminaKBaig! The first Pakistani woman to climb Mount Everest was just appointed as UNDP National Goodwill Ambassador for #Pakistan.https://t.co/KcGSnuhCLX pic.twitter.com/oEsLxVJeWw
— UN Development (@UNDP) February 26, 2018
According to Baig, her aim is to work more towards empowering women from impoverished areas of Pakistan.
“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, my entire climbing purpose was to empower women through these adventures and encourage gender equality,” said Baig at the ceremony.
“With my brother, I have experienced significant impact of global warming and climate change on our mother earth. I find this honour as the national goodwill Ambassador of UNDP to spread the voice for climate change and environmental protection and advocate empowering young girls to climb the highest level within their field of profession.”
Born in Gilgit Baltistan, Baig became the first woman in Pakistan to summit the Mount Everest at the age of 22, and has successfully scaled 7 highest peaks in all continents. Awarded the Pride of Performance by the Government of Pakistan, today she presides over the Pakistan Youth Outreach Foundation to encourage youth, especially women, to participate in outdoor activities.
For more on this, watch a report on Dunya News below.
