A leading financial institution in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Mashreq, has announced the launch of a mountain clean-up mission in Pakistan as part of its global Climb2Change initiative.

The mission will involve cleaning up two prominent mountain peaks, K2 and Broad Peak (K3), as well as the base camps at Goro2 and Concordia.

Through the Climb2Change initiative, Mashreq aims to clean up a total of 14 of the world’s highest mountains.

The plan is to reach the summits of 7 peaks and the base camps of the remaining 7 mountains. T

he expedition in Pakistan, which will take place from June to August 2024, will involve renowned Portuguese climber Maria Conceicao and Pakistani climber Naila Kiani.

“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,” Mashreq CEO Ahmed Abdelaal said.

“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,” he stated.

“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. 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,” Kiana said.

Conceicao expressed excitement about joining Mashreq’s global Climb2Change initiative, stating that it aligns with her life’s work to contribute to the preservation of some of the world’s most iconic mountains and natural heritage in Pakistan.

Conceicao shared that her journey has taken her from being an orphaned child to becoming the first Portuguese woman to summit Mount Everest, and she now holds 10 Guinness World Records in sports. As a philanthropist, she has also developed education initiatives that transform the lives of underprivileged children. She believes this mountain clean-up mission is a perfect fit with her life’s work.

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