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VOL. 28, NO. 19, Jan 16, 2009 (Magh 03 2065 B.S.)
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POZNAN CONFERENCE
Sharing Experiences
At a time when Nepal is slowly feeling the effect of climate change, Nepalese delegation, for the first time, strongly presented their position on global summit
By A CORRESPONDENT
Although it will take some time to see concrete results from its participation and negotiations in UN Climate Change Conference in Poznan, Nepal government presented their position during the conference strongly and it is definite to bring benefits to the vulnerable communities.
From alarming situation of glacier melting to adaptation and National Action Plan of Adaptation (NAPA), Global Fund and CDMA and need for assessment for capacity building and need for global partnership and infrastructure development, Nepalese delegation strongly put forward their points of views along with the group of least developed countries.
"One of the aims of this program is to share our experience with other stakeholders regarding the progress made in the conference," said Umesh Mainali, Secretary of Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology.
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Himalayas : Under threat |
Although Nepal has already faced some dire consequences due to extreme rain pattern in recent years, the country is yet to adopt NAPA so that the country will claim the support from the fund. "One of the major achievements of our participation in Poznan was that we were able to make our position very clear along with all other least developed countries. We also raised the delaying in the funding for NAPA," said Ganesh Shah, minister of Environment, Science and Technology.
"As the temperature rises, the glacier melting is going to be major problems for Nepal. It will affect our water supply system as well as our whole eco-system," said Shah. "We raised this issue and asked support to enhance our capability. Nepal underscored the urgency of building competent human resources, in countries having no or less capacity, for the effective implementation of the Convention."
"Nepalese delegation was able to put their points of view in the conference. These interactions helped us know what other stakeholders really think about position taken by us," said Purushotam Ghimire, joint secretary at the ministry.
Others, too, had similar experiences. " Nepal has to prepare for accessing adaptation Fund. Some pilot Adaptation Programs are to be launched for learning by doing "said Gahendra Gurung, team leader Practical Action presenting his paper on Adaptation under the UNFCCC Negotiation.
Organized by Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, various speakers representing the government and non-governmental sector shared their experiences COP 14 of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and CMP 4 of the Kyoto Protocol.
About a month after the completion of Poznan Conference, Nepalese delegations , Nepali delegates shared their experiences with various stakeholders regarding the achievements made in the course of meeting.
"We are preparing National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA). With abundance of Himalayas and glaciers, Nepal's needs support to establish Himalayan Glaciers Study Center. With the temperature rise, there comes many challenges," said minister Shah.
All agree that the agreement on preparing NAPA is a good step. "As it is inevitable that Nepal will have to face dire consequences sooner or later, we should make our focus on adaptation. Other areas is to put our case on carbon trade," said Dr. Udaya Raj Sharma, secretary to the ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation.
"Noting that the importance of the NAPA process as a first step towards the scaling up of adaptation and integration of climate change into national development plan, summit has given the outline. As all other developing countries, we need to be more progressive since this is a question of survival. If we make any delay, the growing change will challenge our right to exist," said Sandeep Chamling, senior program manager Climate Change and Energy Program WWF-Nepal. "The summit has made major contribution on various areas including in the adaptation, CDMP, GEF strategy program."
"During the summit, Nepal has made all its efforts to pursue its policy at the various levels. Minister of Environment, Science and Technology held several meetings including with UNFCC executive secretary. He shared the information on Nepal's climate change issues, requested for establishment of Himalayan Climate Change Center. After meeting with UNDP's New York team, minister raised Nepal's NAPA issue and additional fast-track support meeting on assessment of investment and financial flows to climate change," said Batu Uprety, under-secretary of the ministry.
"As Practical Action has been launching various programs including that of adaptation this experience sharing meeting helped us to know the various positions taken by Nepal," said Achyut Luitel, country director, Pratical Action Nepal Office.
