Regional climate summit ends

Four Himalayan nations yesterday concluded a two-day regional climate conference agreeing to cooperate on four major issues: security of food, water, energy and biodiversity in the Bhutanese capital of Thimphu.
A joint ministerial declaration was signed in this regard among the four countries -- Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal, a message received here said.
The conference titled 'Climate Summit for a Living Himalayas, Bhutan 2011' was attended by around 500 participants which include members of the diplomatic missions in Bhutan and international observers, various development partners and international NGOs.
Bhutan organised the summit at the Convention Centre of Thimpu. The summit started with the inaugural remarks of the summit president, the Bhutanese Prime Minister Lyonchhoen Jigmi Yoeser Thinley.
The head of the delegations of the four countries include State Minister for Environment and Forests Dr Hassan Mahmud and Bhutanese Minister for Agriculture and Forests Dr Pema Gyamtsho.
At the inaugural remark, Bhutanese Prime Minister Lyonchhoen Jigmi Yoeser Thinley stressed strong cooperation among the countries to address the adverse impacts of climate change.
To this end, the premier hailed the efforts of the concerned ministers, policy level and technical experts of all the four countries who made tremendous work in coming up with declaration and the framework of cooperation.
The declaration and framework of cooperation is the first of its kind which integrated southern watersheds of the eastern Himalayas.
Dr Hasan said, 'We are the innocent victims of climate change impacts. That is why the regional cooperation framework has got strong relevance to the lives and livelihoods of tens of millions living in the region and this is going to be a very good example of regional cooperation in the south-south context'.