Lahore, The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Pakistan, in collaboration with the Lahore Literary Festival (LLF), is set to present ‘Living Indus – Pakistan in the era of climate change’ on Saturday, February 24th at Alhamra, Lahore. This significant event aims to shed light on the pressing issues facing the Indus River Basin, a vital source of life and civilization in Pakistan for over 5,000 years, now threatened by climate change, pollution, and unsustainable water usage.

According to United Nations Pakistan, the session will feature a panel of distinguished speakers including Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, a wildlife activist; Afia Salam, an environment journalist; Abuzar Madhu, an artist and environment activist; Catherine Weibel, Director of UNIC Pakistan; Rafay Alam, an environment lawyer; and Wajahat Malik, a filmmaker. These experts will discuss the current state of the Indus River Basin, its importance to the livelihood of 95% of Pakistan’s population, and the urgent need for collective action to address the challenges it faces.

The Living Indus Initiative, named one of seven new World Restoration Flagships by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) on February 13th, aims to mobilize citizens, communities, NGOs, the government, and the United Nations to restore the basin, combat climate change, secure clean water, and protect biodiversity. This initiative is a testament to the collaborative efforts required to safeguard our planet for future generations.

The UNIC has been a pivotal force in Pakistan since 1951, promoting awareness and engagement around the United Nations and the 17 Global Goals, with a particular focus on combating climate change and environmental protection. The Lahore Literary Festival, a beacon of cultural, social, economic, and political discourse, provides an ideal platform for discussing such critical issues, reflecting Lahore’s rich tradition of arts, activism, and innovative thinking.