KATHMANDU, May 21: South Asian youths have called for unity to tackle climate change challenges faced by the region.  

South Asia is witnessing a surge in natural disasters, including glacier melting, floods, epidemics, droughts, and scorching winds in recent years. In the face of these challenges, the region's youths firmly believe that cooperation and solidarity are crucial to tackle these calamities and develop climate-resilient solutions.

This view was expressed by the youth who participated in the SHAPE South Asia conference titled ‘Shaping Climate Resiliency towards a Great Himalayan Future for All’ which started in Kathmandu from Friday. 

Pakistan's Muhammad Abubakar, who participated in the conference, gave an example of how India and Pakistan worked together to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic despite the unfavorable political relations.

Recalling the case where the Global Shapers Hub in Faisalabad, Pakistan collaborated with hubs in various cities in India to develop medicines, vaccines and treatments against Covid-19, Abubakar said, “Climate change has become a bigger challenge than the Covid-19 pandemic. This also requires regional unity and cooperation.”

Abubakar said that other regional organizations of the world, including the European Union, are successful in regional integration and economic development, but he expressed sorrow that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has not been able to do the expected work. Pakistan's Kashab Akhtar, who participated in the conference, believes that the young generation should not be the problem but part of the solution in any matter.

“We are connected to the circular economy in terms of economics. Small-scale efforts and measures taken in this area are important to meet the challenges of environmental protection and climate change," said Akhtar.  

Devyani Pawar from Pune, India, who participated in the conference, believes that the climate crisis should be tackled through mutual cooperation and coordination from the community to the regional level. “Regardless of culture and background, we are connected. We must agree to solve the climate challenge,'' she said.

Similarly, Krystle Wijesuriya of Sri Lanka said that the South Asian countries participating in the conference do not have a concrete plan and strategy to deal with the effects of climate change. Stating that the poor, disabled and other marginalized communities are more affected in terms of climate risks, she said, “The effects of climate change are linked to education, health and gender issues. To deal with this challenge, poverty alleviation is equally necessary.” 

Nia Murshed from Bangladesh said that the farmers have fled after the arable land was flooded due to the rise in sea level.  

Pratik Kunwar, a member of Global Shapers Kathmandu, the local organizer of the conference, said that South Asia is at the forefront of the world in terms of climate crisis. “Our glaciers are in crisis and nearly two billion people in the lowlands depend on water flowing from the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. We are trapped in an interconnected crisis,” said Kunwar, who is also an advisor to the Global Shapers Community. 

When there is mutual cooperation between the youth and other civil levels, it will be easier to face the challenges created by climate change in South Asia and the world as a whole, Kunwar added, “Results of one place, research and good practice can be applied elsewhere.”

Karen Saez of the headquarters of the Global Sappers Community in Geneva said that this organization has implemented 2200 projects in different countries in the world and that climate change is on the priority list. "The decisions and suggestions of the Kathmandu conference will have global importance," she said. 

Inaugurated by Vice President Ramsahay Yadav on Friday, the conference will have various thematic sessions on climate change. A South Asian advocacy paper on climate resilience will be released at the end of the conference. Around 100 youth from 14 countries including South Asian countries are participating in the conference.

 
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