ISLAMABAD: Mashreq, a leading financial institution in the MENA region, has announced the start of a mountain clean-up mission in Pakistan as part of its global Climb2Change initiative, which will involve cleaning up two prominent peaks, K2 and Broad Peak (K3), and the base camps at Goro2 and Concordia, the bank said in a statement on Tuesday.
Through the Climb2Change initiative, Mashreq is aiming to clean up 14 of the world’s mightiest mountains, with the aim of reaching 7 peaks and the base camps of the remaining 7 mountains. The expedition in Pakistan, spanning from June to August 2024, will involve renowned Portuguese climber Maria Conceicao and Naila Kiani, the first Pakistani woman and overall third Pakistani to climb 11 of the world’s 14 highest peaks above 8,000-meters.
“We are proud to advance our global initiative, Climb2Change, with the expansion of our mountain clean-up expedition to Pakistan, home to some of the world’s highest peaks,” Ahmed Abdelaal, Group CEO of Mashreq, said in a statement.
“Tackling the challenges of waste accumulation and ecological imbalance, our mission is to inspire positive change by summiting and cleaning these iconic peaks in the Karakoram range. This effort is a collaborative endeavour with renowned climbers, local communities, and our employees.
“Conquering five of the highest peaks and a base camp in Nepal underscored the resilience of the human spirit, leaving these natural wonders cleaner than before. However, our mission extends beyond mere clean-ups; we hope to inspire individuals, communities, and organizations worldwide to join us and start their own Climb2Change.”
Kiani said she was “incredibly proud” to join forces with Mashreq to advocate for environmental conservation in her homeland.
“Climbing has always been a personal journey of pushing boundaries, and now, with Mashreq, I aim to catalyze significant change for a brighter and sustainable future,” Kiana said.
“My diverse background, from aerospace engineering to banking and competitive boxing, has prepared me for the challenges of mountaineering and advocacy. As the first Pakistani woman to summit eleven 8000-meter peaks and to represent the MENA region, I strive to not only climb mountains but also to inspire others, especially women and youth, to pursue their dreams and contribute positively to our planet.”
Commenting on the initiative, Maria Conceicao said she was excited to join Mashreq’s global initiative, Climb2Change, and contribute to the preservation of some of the world’s most iconic mountains and natural heritage in Pakistan.
“From my journey as an orphaned child to becoming the first Portuguese woman to summit Mount Everest, holding 10 Guinness World Records in sports, and as a philanthropist developing education initiatives that transform the lives of underprivileged children, this mission aligns perfectly with my life’s work,” Conceicao said. “And we really hope to raise awareness as well as inspire others to take actions to protect our planet for future generations.”
The clean-up expedition in Pakistan builds on the success of the initial two phases in Nepal, where five of the highest peaks and one base camp were scaled and cleaned. The expeditions have involved the removal of high-altitude waste and promotion of environmental conservation through public education.
