SAARC summit adopts Thimphu Statement on climate change
Friday, 30 April 2010
THIMPHU, Apr 29 (UNB): The 16th SAARC summit on Thursday adopted the Thimphu Statement on Climate Change, expressing a determination to make South Asia a world leader in low-carbon technologies and renewable energy.
The statement adopted on the concluding day of the summit emphasized the importance of reducing dependence on high-carbon technologies for economic growth, and that promotion of climate resilience will promote both development and poverty eradication in a sustainable manner.
The separate statement was issued as Climate Change was designated as the key theme of the 16th SAARC Summit, in the wake of the vulnerability faced by member states from global warming.
Expressing deep concern over the adverse effects of climate change, the statement called for the commissioning of a SAARC Inter-governmental Climate-related Disasters Initiative, on the integration of Climate Change Adaptation with Disaster Risk Reduction.
The statement said the SAARC member states face the dual challenge of addressing the negative impacts of climate change and pursuing socio-economic development.
It noted that South Asia is especially prone to the ill-effects of climate change and related disasters, making the need for a regional response to meet the challenge more urgent and compelling.
It said South Asia could benefit from cooperative regional initiatives and exchange of knowledge, as well as transfer of technologies to address the challenges.
It recognizes that the preservation of the environment and mitigating the impacts of climate change are mutually reinforcing.
The Thimpu Statement on Climate Change also agreed to review the implementation of the Dhaka Declaration and SAARC Action Plan on Climate Change, with a view to ensuring its timely implementation.
The SAARC leaders agreed to establish an Inter-governmental Expert Group on Climate Change to develop clear policy directions for regional cooperation as envisaged in the SAARC Plan of Action on Climate Change.
The leaders directed the SAARC secretary general to commission a study aimed at accreditation of SAARC with the Kyoto Protocol's Adaptation Fund as a regional entity for undertaking adaptation projects in South Asia.
They also decided to commission a study on Climate Risk in the region to find ways to comprehensively address the related social, economic and environmental challenges.
Another study was commissioned to explore the feasibility of establishing a SAARC mechanism which would provide capital for projects that promote low-carbon technologies and renewable energy, and a Low carbon Research and Development Institute at the South Asian University.
The statement said 10 million trees will be planted over the next five years (2010-15) as part of a regional forestation and reforestation campaign in the member states.
South Asian leaders also decided to commission a SAARC Inter-governmental Marine Initiative to strengthen the understanding of shared oceans and water bodies in the region.
They stressed the importance of conservation of bio-diversity and natural resources and monitoring mountain ecology in the region.
The statement said the SAARC leaders also agreed on commissioning a SAARC Inter-governmental Monsoon Initiative on the evolving pattern of monsoons to assess member states' vulnerability due to climate change. This will be implemented with the support of the SAARC Meteorological Research Center.
It called for completing the ratification process for the SAARC Convention on Cooperation on Environment at an early date to enable it come into force.
The leaders said the Inter-governmental Expert Group on Climate Change shall meet at least twice a year to periodically review the implementation of this statement and make recommendations to facilitate its implementation. The group will then submit its report through senior officials of SAARC to the SAARC Environment Ministers.
The statement adopted on the concluding day of the summit emphasized the importance of reducing dependence on high-carbon technologies for economic growth, and that promotion of climate resilience will promote both development and poverty eradication in a sustainable manner.
The separate statement was issued as Climate Change was designated as the key theme of the 16th SAARC Summit, in the wake of the vulnerability faced by member states from global warming.
Expressing deep concern over the adverse effects of climate change, the statement called for the commissioning of a SAARC Inter-governmental Climate-related Disasters Initiative, on the integration of Climate Change Adaptation with Disaster Risk Reduction.
The statement said the SAARC member states face the dual challenge of addressing the negative impacts of climate change and pursuing socio-economic development.
It noted that South Asia is especially prone to the ill-effects of climate change and related disasters, making the need for a regional response to meet the challenge more urgent and compelling.
It said South Asia could benefit from cooperative regional initiatives and exchange of knowledge, as well as transfer of technologies to address the challenges.
It recognizes that the preservation of the environment and mitigating the impacts of climate change are mutually reinforcing.
The Thimpu Statement on Climate Change also agreed to review the implementation of the Dhaka Declaration and SAARC Action Plan on Climate Change, with a view to ensuring its timely implementation.
The SAARC leaders agreed to establish an Inter-governmental Expert Group on Climate Change to develop clear policy directions for regional cooperation as envisaged in the SAARC Plan of Action on Climate Change.
The leaders directed the SAARC secretary general to commission a study aimed at accreditation of SAARC with the Kyoto Protocol's Adaptation Fund as a regional entity for undertaking adaptation projects in South Asia.
They also decided to commission a study on Climate Risk in the region to find ways to comprehensively address the related social, economic and environmental challenges.
Another study was commissioned to explore the feasibility of establishing a SAARC mechanism which would provide capital for projects that promote low-carbon technologies and renewable energy, and a Low carbon Research and Development Institute at the South Asian University.
The statement said 10 million trees will be planted over the next five years (2010-15) as part of a regional forestation and reforestation campaign in the member states.
South Asian leaders also decided to commission a SAARC Inter-governmental Marine Initiative to strengthen the understanding of shared oceans and water bodies in the region.
They stressed the importance of conservation of bio-diversity and natural resources and monitoring mountain ecology in the region.
The statement said the SAARC leaders also agreed on commissioning a SAARC Inter-governmental Monsoon Initiative on the evolving pattern of monsoons to assess member states' vulnerability due to climate change. This will be implemented with the support of the SAARC Meteorological Research Center.
It called for completing the ratification process for the SAARC Convention on Cooperation on Environment at an early date to enable it come into force.
The leaders said the Inter-governmental Expert Group on Climate Change shall meet at least twice a year to periodically review the implementation of this statement and make recommendations to facilitate its implementation. The group will then submit its report through senior officials of SAARC to the SAARC Environment Ministers.