ISLAMABAD: Experts at a seminar titled ‘SAARC-Challenges and Opportunities in Changing Regional Dynamics’ have stressed the need to evolve mechanism to protect lives of people prone to climate change in South Asia region.
“The nature of challenges and threats of disasters induced by climate change demanded trans-boundary solutions, and hence, it was imperative for all the governments in South Asia to enhance cooperation and collaboration at SAARC level to evolve mechanisms to tackle climate change.”
The seminar was organised by the Sustainable Agriculture Action Group (SAAG) in collaboration with the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Heinrich Böll Stiftung Pakistan (HBS), Sungi Foundation, Roots for Equity, Lok Sanjh and ActionAid Pakistan here on Monday.
Climate Action Network (CAN) Director Sanjay Vashist shared his views with the audience around the impacts of climate change in South Asia including shrinking cross-border resources. He said the South Asian governments lacked capacity to respond to these challenges while working in isolation.
“The climate financing at global level was shrinking and thus it was high time for the South Asian governments to mobilise their resources,” Sanjay said. The nature of the disasters in South Asian countries including floods and draughts existed in across the region and thus it could be responded by collaborated mechanisms.”
Dr Imran Khalid of the SDPI presented details of water related complexities in relation to climate change, saying: “We need trans-border climate change adaptation strategy”.
Aftab Alam Khan of Actionaid Pakistan highlighted level of inequalities linked with the impacts of climate change. He said small farmers and other weaker segments of society had to face most of the adverse impacts of climate change. He said SAARC countries should incorporate voices of vulnerable communities in its discussions at highest level. Mome Saleem of Heinrich Böll Stiftung stressed the need to highlight issue of gender inequality in South Asia. “The patriarchal mindset was needed to change through education and social endeavours.”
