Friendship founder Runa Khan joins a panel discussion led by The Earthshot Prize at Climate Action Week
By Iffat Ara Sharmeen,
25 February 2026
The opening event at Climate Action Week saw a star-studded attendance of 300 of the biggest environmental changemakers from the Global South, in the presence of media entities, philanthropists, impact investors, donors, innovators, C-suite leaders, sustainability experts, the COP Presidency, and Indian Government officials. The panel segment of the event brought together four Earthshot Prize finalists and winners to discuss how their solutions were scaled through funding, partnerships, and storytelling.
Actor, producer, and UN Goodwill Ambassador Dia Mirza introduced the panel participants and shared a video message on behalf of HRH Prince William. Founded by the Prince, the Earthshot Prize is the world’s most prestigious environmental award, given to environmental leaders to inspire bold solutions needed to repair planet Earth by 2030 by acting with urgency and optimism. The opening session of the Climate Action Week was reminiscent of that spirit.
Alongside Runa Khan, the panel featured Dr Kaushik Deb, EPIC India Executive Director and State of Gujarat Representative, Nidhi Pant, Co-founder of S4S Technologies, and Kaushik Kappagantulu, Co-founder and CEO of Kheyti. When asked how the Earthshot platform opened new doors of opportunities, Runa Khan emphasised how being part of such a community made a huge difference and provided a global arena for the communities served by Friendship.
She elaborated on Friendship’s FICA (Friendship Integrated Climate Adaptation) model, which currently serves more than 7.5 million people in northern riverine islands and southern coastal regions of Bangladesh. The model integrates that work alongside climate-adaptive healthcare services, mangrove restoration, elevated-floor, resilient villages, solar empowerment, access to rights, cultural preservation, and livelihood opportunities, all of which work together to transform lives in every way possible. These solutions are community-led and nature-based, putting people and the environment first while also addressing systemic changes through dignity and hope.
“In just six months, Earthshot has already opened incredible doors. Three governments have approached us to see how they can adapt our holistic model and replicate it in their respective countries,” Runa Khan shared. “The Earthshot Prize has opened doors but gives us hope we can bring more positive change to communities on the frontline of climate change,” she added.
The Earthshot Prize announced at Climate Action Week that the 2026 award session will be held in India, to shine a spotlight on resilience and innovations stemming from the Global South. When asked about having the 2026 award session held so close to home, Runa Khan shared, “Having The Earthshot Prize in India is truly inspiring. For me, it’s also a chance to share our work and holistic model with more people and funders, transform more communities, and explore how it can be replicated both in India and around the world.”
