Negotiating from the front: Time to take up the challenge

31st December 2012
Negotiating from the front: Time to take up the challenge

Lazimpat, Kathmandu An interaction program titled “Negotiating from the front: Leading the LDC group in UN Climate Talks” was held in Kathmandu to deliberate on the outcomes of the recently concluded Doha climate conference and recommend the strategies for the effective coordination of LDC group in the UNFCCC. Nepal is leading 48 least developed countries group for the year 2013 and 2014 in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

he program was organized by Climate Change Network Nepal (CCNN)/Clean Energy Nepal (CEN). Representatives from government agencies, civil society organizations, universities and various network attended the program.

Addressing the program CCNN coordinator, Mr. Bhusan Tuladhar said, "the government at the national level has sufficiently progressed in policy and programme formulation processes but now this needs to be translated into actions by implementation them at the local level." Chief Guest of the program Honorable Minister of Science, Technology and Environment, Dr. Keshav Man Shakya, stressed on the need of effective participation of Nepal in UNFCCC negotiation. He further added that COP 18 was did not deliver as expected to address the concerns of poor and vulnerable countries such as Nepal.

The Joint secretary of Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment Mr. Prakash Mathema highlighted the updates from Doha in context of LDC group expectations and discussed about Nepal's plan on leading Least Developed Countries group at UNFCCC for the year 2013-2014. “The leadership for the LDC Group is an opportunity as well as a challenge for Nepal,” he stressed.

The participants of the workshop also discussed in groups to came up with actionable recommendations for the government on moving ahead with the LDC chairmanship. The workshop discussion was based on “Strategies for Effective coordination in LDC group” and “Advancing National Agenda in the Climate Negotiations.” The recommendation of the group work will be presented to the Ministry of Science, technology and Environment.

Climate Change Network Nepal (CCNN) is a semi-formal network established in 2003. Various national and international organizations working on climate change issues in Nepal are the members of the network. The goal of CCNN is to contribute to build the resilience of vulnerable communities of Nepal to the impacts of climate change through appropriate lobbying and implementation of climate change related policies and programmes in Nepal. Please visit www.ccnn.org.np or contact secretariat Clean Energy Nepal (ph: 01 4464981) for details