British High Commission celebrates young climate storytellers on Commonwealth Day
ISLAMABAD: Winners of the UK’s ‘Climate in My Community’ competition showcased their creative talents through art, film, and storytelling at the British High Commission Islamabad to celebrate Commonwealth Day 2025.
Young Pakistanis from across the country, aged between 13 and 24 were invited to submit pieces of art that represented what climate change means to them, how it is impacting their communities and the steps they are taking to address it. The competition, organised in collaboration with the British Council, had a strong response receiving over 550 entries.Commonwealth SG arrives in Pakistan on Sunday
To celebrate this achievement, the British High Commission hosted an award ceremony, bringing together the winners, climate experts, and key stakeholders. The event showcased an exhibition of the winning entries and provided a platform for discussions on youth-driven climate action.
British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, commented:
“I’ve been amazed by the outstanding quality of the submissions, which vividly bring to life both the threats and solutions related to climate change. Pakistan’s youth is brimming with creativity and energy, and this competition has demonstrated how impactful their voices can be in shaping the climate conversation. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to everyone who participated.”
20-year-old Roha Arshad, winner in the Climate and Innovation category, shared:
“It’s tempting to hope for some miraculous technology that will save our planet. But the truth is, it’s up to us. We must take responsibility for our actions and use the miracle we already have: nature. That’s the core message of my video—using what surrounds us to heal the Earth.”
The winners, including Khadija Chaudary, Rahma Mudassir, Gulshan Fatima, Hayder Ali, Amaim Zia, and Roha Arshad, who are between 13 and 22 years old, were recognized for their creative contributions in three categories: climate and innovation, climate and gender, and climate in my community. Their paintings, drawings, videos, stories, and articles were celebrated for their powerful storytelling about climate challenges and solutions.
Commonwealth Day, observed by 56 member countries on March 10, will highlight shared values of unity, peace, and sustainability. This year’s theme, ‘Together We Thrive,’ emphasizes the importance of strong, interconnected communities collaborating to address global challenges.
Climate change remains a top priority for the UK. The UK has supported 1.5 million people in enhancing their resilience to extreme climate events and aims to assist an additional 3 million people in the next four years. The UK’s innovative climate finance program is expected to mobilize over £420 million in climate investments, primarily from the private sector.
