Islamabad (GNP): Pakistan Ocean Literacy Climate Resilience 2026 took center stage as Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry called for urgent collective action to protect marine resources and rethink humanity’s relationship with the oceans. Speaking on World Oceans Day, observed this year under the global theme “REIMAGINE: Beyond the world we know, a new relationship with our ocean,” the minister said oceans are not distant ecosystems but life support systems that shape air, food, and climate for all of humanity.
Junaid Chaudhry said that oceans flow through our air, food, and climate, and that the world must move from awareness to action to protect, restore, and reimagine the oceans as a shared global responsibility. He stressed that ocean literacy is key to building stronger climate resilience, particularly for coastal nations like Pakistan that are already feeling the effects of rising environmental pressures.
The minister highlighted expanding coastal conservation efforts across Pakistan, including a weekly cleanup campaign by the Karachi Port Trust aimed at removing marine waste and improving harbour sustainability. He said work is also under way to restore degraded coastal zones and enhance marine biodiversity across the country.
Mangrove Restoration and Community Action
Pakistan Ocean Literacy Climate Resilience 2026 efforts also include a strong focus on mangrove restoration, which Junaid Chaudhry described as central to Pakistan’s coastal resilience strategy. He explained that mangroves act as natural carbon sinks, storm buffers, and nurseries for fish, making their protection and restoration a national priority.
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The minister praised community led initiatives and gave special recognition to young environmental activist Almas Qasmani, founder of Saltwater Marina in Rehri Goth, Karachi. Qasmani has been active in mangrove conservation, biodiversity documentation, eco-tourism promotion, and youth plantation drives. She has been named a KPT Ambassador and has received certificates recognizing her environmental leadership and contributions to coastal conservation.
Junaid Chaudhry also referred to recent United Nations Environment Program assessments warning that oceans are under severe stress from climate change, biodiversity loss, and rising emissions. He pointed to the EU’s OceanEye initiative as an opportunity for Pakistan to benefit from enhanced data sharing and marine innovation partnerships. He urged stakeholders across government, industry, and civil society to convert their commitments into concrete action, saying the future of Pakistan’s coastal economies depends on protecting and restoring ocean ecosystems.
