Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai addressed the RIO +20 Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, highlighting the development challenges of least development countries (LDCs) as well as Nepal’s vulnerability in terms of climate change.

In his address, PM Bhattarai said that development challenges of LDCs had become more pronounced and complex and their ability to address them remained greatly constrained. “The LDCs continue to remain most off-track in the achievement of the MDGs that we collectively defined as a basic minimum for humanity. The resources committed to be available for achieving those goals fall much short of the commitments,” he said

“While they continue to grapple with traditional development challenges, their vulnerabilities have been accentuated in the wake of multiple and mutually reinforcing global crises and the disproportionate impacts of climate change that threatens to push many more people in these vulnerable countries to the brink of extreme poverty. Those who contribute the least to the greenhouse gas are bearing the brunt of it disproportionately.”

He further said, “When talking about sustainability of the way we live today we must remember the well known saying that “there is sufficient means to meet all our needs but not enough to fulfill our greed”.”

PM Bhattarai also emphasised that entrenched inequalities ad discrimination that characterizes the world are defying the values of justice and humanity.

“A world that is characterized by entrenched inequalities and discrimination, one that continues to defy the universal values of justice, equality and humanity is not sustainable, and it must unequivocally be changed. In this context, the global economic tenets need to be realigned to rectify the contemporary economic woes. The foundation of sustainable development should be our common understanding that all peoples and nations are equal and have the same rights and dignity.”

In the address, PM Bhattarai also recognised Nepal’s “daunting economic and geographic challenges with limited technical and institutional capacities, and highlighted some policies and plans launched by Nepal government including Sustainable Community Development and Community Forestry Programs, rural energy program and inclusive governance scheme.

He also underscored Nepal’s climate change vulnerability. “For the past few years, Nepal has been on the frontline of climate change effects and ranked by some studies as the world’s fourth most climate-vulnerable country. The glacial lake outbursts and recurrent floods are major threats to lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure."

"As the fate of the billions of people is dependent on mountain ecosystems for water, clean energy, food security, biodiversity and culture, we call for making a global political commitment at Rio to promote sustainable mountain agenda and strengthen institutional and funding mechanisms, and international support and cooperation.” nepalnews.com