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Prime Minister of Nepal opens Regional Conservation Forum
Addressing the conference, chief guest Koirala reiterated Nepal’s commitment to the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. “As a party to various environmental conventions, we promise our development partners to reinforce our partnership on conservation and sustainable development based on the democratic principles of cooperation, shared responsibility and mutual benefit to formulate appropriate strategies for a better Asia,” the prime minister said. Highlighting the challenges faced by Asia in mitigating climate change and other natural disasters, Julia Marton-Lèfevre, Director General of the World Conservation Union, said that there is increasing concern within the region that the benefits of the region’s spectacular growth have not been shared equitably. “It is time for us to take stock of the environmental issues that confront the world. It is time to take stock of the links between our well-being as humans and the well-being of our natural environment,” added Julia. The keynote speech was delivered by Surendra Shrestha, Regional Director of the United Nations Environment Programme Regional Office for Asia Pacific. In his address, Shrestha expressed the hope of building political commitment to address some of the pressing environmental issues facing Asia today. Aban Marker Kabraji, Regional Director of IUCN Asia, applauded the role of Nepal in demonstrating some of the region’s most innovative conservation practices. Said Kabraji, “As the peace process continues and democracy flourishes, Nepal faces both opportunities and challenges in moving towards the path of sustainable development, growth and conservation.” While the Nepalese Minister for Forests and Soil Conservation Dev Prasad Gurung chaired the inaugural programme, the vote of thanks was delivered by Prabhu Budhathoki, Country Representative of IUCN Nepal. The forum brought together over 400 representatives from IUCN’s membership, commissions, secretariat and council in Asia with major stakeholders, including those belonging to the donor community and private sector from as many as 30 Asian countries. The Regional Conservation Forum is being organised by the Government of Nepal and the World Conservation Union (IUCN). The main agenda of the forum is to generate meaningful dialogue on critical conservation and development issues in the region as well as their possible solutions. Special emphasis will be placed on the impact of emerging socio-economic trends in the region during the 21st century. Among the highlights of the event will be the presentation of the proposed IUCN Asia Intersessional Programme for the next quadrennium (2009 - 2012) and strategies for addressing key regional issues such as climate change, energy and environmental security. For more information, please contact:
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