“I propose that an alliance of mountainous countries be established for adaptation process to deal with climate change challenges,” PM Nepal said during his three minute speech at the plenary of the conference.[break]
He further proposed that the COP-15 look at sustainable development aimed at lifting millions of people from poverty. He urged for an ‘ambitious and a legally binding’ agreement which would give attention to the needs of the most vulnerable countries of climate change.
He also proposed that the summit looked at future and be responsive to the needs of poor states and said that a long-term financial assistance be given to the poor countries under a strong institutional framework.
Pointing at the recently held cabinet meeting at Kala Patthar and the Summiteers’ March in Copenhagen on December 11, PM Nepal said: “This conference has a special meaning for us, as we recently saw the alarming impact of climate change in the Himalayan region.
Nepal Government has adopted a 10-point Everest Declaration, which includes expansion of protected area to 25 per cent and maintaining forest area of 40 per cent.”
Expressing a strong commitment to address climate change issues, he added: “I bring to you a message from Nepali people that let’s keep our earth green so that Himalayas and the Alps remain white.
If we fail to do so, not only will the future generation will be deprived of seeing the snow-clad mountains, but some 1.3 billion people will be directly affected along the Himalaya river basin,” PM Nepal added.
Stating that the temperature increase in Nepal is much higher than the global average, he said that the entire hydrological system is affected in the river basin endangering the bio-diversity. He also drew the attention of the head of states towards the alarming danger of outburst of glacier lakes.
He further said that Nepal is now facing greater challenges in terms of climate change. He laid emphasis on technology transfer and resource support from the rich nations.
Stating that the rich nations should look at ‘effective implementation’ of the UN framework on climate change and Kyoto Protocol, he said: “The UN framework on climate change and the Kyoto Protocol are the fundamental instruments to deal to with climate change.”
Urging the Annex 1 countries to act now, he said that Nepal is looking at protecting its forest while developing hydropower and energy sector and aspiring to go carbon-neutral.
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