From Balochistan to the United Nations General Assembly

My name is Zunaira, and I’m 15 years old. I come from Balochistan, a land of strength, struggle, and stories that often go unheard. For as long as I can remember, I’ve dreamt of using my voice to speak for children who live on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Somewhere in my heart, I always knew that one day, that voice would travel far. Still, when I found myself standing at the United Nations in New York City, surrounded by world leaders and changemakers, it felt like time had stopped. It felt like every hope, every effort, every small act of courage had brought me exactly to that moment.

The journey to that stage began long before I boarded the plane. It began when UNICEF saw potential in me and believed in my voice when they chose me as a Youth Advocate for climate action and girls’ empowerment. That single opportunity opened a world I had only imagined. It gave me a platform to speak about what matters most to me how climate change is not just about weather and policies, but about people, about children, about me.

My first stop in the U.S. was the Youth Advocacy Mobilization Lab or YAML. It was an amazing experience. The room was alive with energy young advocates from every corner of the world, all carrying their own battles, dreams, and hopes for a better future. We came from different countries, yet our hearts spoke the same language: change.

YAML wasn’t just a training; it was a spark. I met new friends who inspired me deeply. A girl shared how education is not always a priority. A boy spoke about the silent pain of mental health, the kind that never makes headlines. As I listened, I realized that while our challenges are different, our mission is one, to fight for a world that listens to its young people.

What stayed with me most was the unity in that room. We were young, but our voices carried power. We didn’t just talk about the future; we demanded to shape it. I left YAML feeling stronger not just as an advocate, but as part of a global movement of youth who refuse to be silent. What made YAML so special was not only the participants, but also the amazing people who guided us. Our trainers and UNICEF colleagues like Marina, Elizabeth, Belén, and Thom —were more than mentors. They were listeners, believers, and motivators.

Then came the day that will stay with me forever stepping into the United Nations. I remember walking through the grand halls, seeing flags from around the world, feeling the weight of the moment. It was surreal. The same girl who once watched the floods rise outside her home in Balochistan was now standing on one of the most powerful platforms in the world, ready to speak.

When I took the microphone, I thought of home, of the children who can’t sleep during storms because they remember the floods, of the girls who had to leave school, of my own fear of rain that still lingers after the trauma of 2022. I spoke for them. I spoke about how the climate crisis is not just a threat to our planet, but also to our peace of mind, our health, and our childhoods.

I shared how mental health and climate change are deeply connected — that when homes are washed away, so are feelings of safety and hope. I wanted the world to understand that children are not just victims of this crisis; we are also part of the solution. We see things with honesty and urgency, and our experiences can guide real change.

At that moment, looking out at the faces listening, I felt something shift inside me. It wasn’t pride, it was purpose. I realized that one voice, even from a small town, can echo across the world if it speaks truth.

Throughout my time in New York, I also joined other events, gave interviews, and met inspiring young people who reminded me that change doesn’t start with power - it starts with passion. Every conversation, every handshake, every smile reminded me that I was part of something bigger, a movement built on hope, courage, and collective strength.

Coming back home, I carry more than memories. I carry lessons, friendships, and a fire that burns brighter than ever. I’ve learned that courage isn’t about being fearless; it’s about speaking even when your voice trembles. I’ve learned that the smallest action, when done with heart, can create ripples across oceans.

This experience has changed me. It has made me believe more deeply in the power of self-belief, in the magic of persistence, and in the importance of never underestimating the dreams of a child. The dream that once lived quietly inside me has now become my path forward.

I’m back in Balochistan with a stronger purpose to continue empowering young people, especially girls, to believe that their voices matter. Because dreams don’t end when they come true. That’s where they begin.