UN-Habitat and NUST celebrated World Habitat Day 2024 at the NUST SCEE Seminar Hall, focusing on youth engagement in creating a better urban future. Distinguished guests included Ms. Coco Yushiana, Country Director of the World Food Programme and acting UN Resident Coordinator; Mr. Jawed Ali Khan, HPM at UN-Habitat; Dr. M. Irfan, Principal and Dean of the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at NUST; Ms. Gulmina Bilal, Chairman of NAVTTC; and Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change. All speakers highlighted the critical role of youth in creating sustainable urban environments and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Dr. M. Irfan specifically emphasized the role of academia in preparing youth as future leaders and highlighted NUST’s contributions to promoting sustainability.

Following the speeches, a panel discussion titled “The Role of Youth in Urban Transformation” was held. The panelists included Dr. Zafar Iqbal Zafar, Director General of the Capital Development Authority (CDA); Mr. Safi Ullah, Dean of the School of Art, Design & Architecture (SADA); Dr. Abdul Waheed, Head of the Department of Urban and Regional Planning; and Mr. Akbar Mahmood Zaidi, a youth activist. The panel concluded that youth should be provided with ample opportunities in urban-related public sector projects, and universities, in collaboration with industries, should focus on equipping youth with the skills necessary to become future leaders in sustainability.