Samina Baig, Pakistan's first woman to climb Mount Everest, was today appointed as the goodwill ambassador of the UN Development Programme, the UN agency said. Baig, 27, will lead efforts to build national awareness and partnerships around the Global Goals for Sustainable Development. "Welcoming Pakistani Mountaineer Samina Baig as the United Nations Development Programme - UNDP in Pakistan's National Goodwill Ambassador," the UNDP said on its Facebook page. She is the first Pakistani woman to have climbed Mount Everest and will lead efforts to build national awareness and partnerships around the Global Goals for Sustainable Development, it said. Baig, on her Facebook page, thanked the UNDP and promised to try her best to raise awareness on climate change, protection of environment,Youth and women empowerment, "There is no mountain too high...nor too easy.
I believe we all can achieve the highest in our field of work and contribute in the development of our country," she said. Baig, at the age of 22, became the first Pakistani woman to climb Mount Everest in 2013. By the time she turned 23, Baig had climbed the highest mountain on each of the world's seven continents. Awarded the 'Pride of Performance' by Pakistan, she presides over the Pakistan Youth Outreach Foundation to encourage youth, especially women, to participate in outdoor activities. As a mountaineer, she bears witness to the critical importance of preserving Pakistan's fragile ecosystems and preparing for the effects of climate change. "Scaling Peak in Antarctica and the seven highest peaks of the seven continents, in some of the most harsh conditions, my entire climbing purpose was to empower women through these adventures and encourage gender equality," she was quoted as saying by the Pakistani local media.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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