Empowering Her, Protecting Nature: IWD 2026 and the Sports for Nature Initiative

The event aligned strongly with the objectives of gender inclusion and women’s empowerment by creating meaningful opportunities for female participation in sports and outdoor activities in Pakistan.

Mr Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Country Representative of IUCN Pakistan, highlighted in his address the organisation’s pivotal role in nature conservation. He also referred to the biodiversity safeguarding project in northern Pakistan, which supported the promotion of sports initiatives in the Gilgit-Baltistan region. Through this project, local youth were actively engaged, receiving training and opportunities to participate in the Winter Sports Festival held in Gilgit-Baltistan. As part of these efforts, IUCN Pakistan organised a Women’s Sports Gala — the first-ever sports event dedicated exclusively to young women in the region.

Additionally, the project facilitated collaboration between local communities and the Adventure Club Pakistan to develop four rock-climbing pitches in Minapin valley of Hunza district. This initiative was designed to create sustainable alternative livelihood opportunities for the community.

Furthermore, Mr Cheema also oriented the audience on Sports for Nature which is a joint initiative of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), International Olympic Committee (IOC), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Dona Bertarelli Philanthropy. It aims to deliver transformative action for nature across sports, by 2030 and beyond, enabling sports to champion nature and contribute to its protection and restoration. It provides a game plan for sports — at all levels — to accelerate and inspire others to take action for nature.

His Excellency Georg Steiner, Ambassador of Switzerland to Pakistan, hosted the award distribution ceremony at the Embassy of Switzerland in Pakistan. On this occasion, he highlighted the Embassy’s continued support for promoting sports as a means to advance conservation efforts in Pakistan and acknowledged the important role of IUCN in protecting nature.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Tahir Imran Khan, President of The Adventure Club – Pakistan, conveyed his appreciation to the participating institutions, individual climbers, and the committed volunteer team whose collective dedication made the event a success.

For further information on Sports for Nature please click here.