Dhaka has called for urgent cooperation among Saarc nations and suggested massive afforestation in the region to effectively face the emerging climate change challenges.
“We must have a clear understanding and take proper steps to face the climate change. Cooperation among countries is urgently needed as it’s a gigantic job for one country to face,” Hasan Mahmud, state minister for forests and environment, told a ministerial meeting in Nepal on Wednesday.
Hasan also sought cooperation of all Saarc countries in ensuring food security and water for all in the region and meeting the electricity crisis by producing hydroelectric power using the potentials that Nepal and Bhutan have.
Former Sri Lankan prime minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake attended the meeting as the chief guest while Nepal defence minister Sarat Singh Bhandari spoke as the guest of honour.
Former finance and foreign minister of Pakistan Sartaj Aziz also addressed the meeting held at Soaltee Crown Plaza Hotel. Former president of Saarc chamber of commerce and industry (Saarc CCI) Tariq Sayeed presided over the session.
Hasan who was representing Bangladesh at the meeting laid emphasis on a comprehensive plan by all the countries to address the critical issues so that food security, water availability and required afforestation are ensured in the region.
“There has been no increase in water though the number of water users has risen significantly. We need a comprehensive plan to ensure water for all. But it’s an uphill task for a single country,” he said.
He felt the necessity for setting up a Saarc Food Bank to ensure food security for the people of this region. “I think it’s tough to ensure food security alone.”
Mahmud said there are enormous potentials in Nepal and Bhutan for generating hydroelectric power. “We’ve to tap the potentials to address the electricity demand of the region.”
He said the governments can play the role of facilitators in all these areas, but the business leaders also have a role to play and explore the potentials.
He urged all the countries to go for massive afforestation, which he thinks, a best tool for facing the challenges of climate change.
“Saarc is a region of enormous potentials. Now we’ll have to work together to explore that.
He voiced concern over the rise of temperature and subsequent sea-level rise, raising the risk of devastation in the region. “The whole region is at risk.”
He also said huge devastation might be there if a 7 magnitude tremor hits the region. “We’ve been facing frequent natural disasters due to climate change. It’s important and urgent to look into the issues.”
Ratnasari said there would be no desired investment and progress in the region if peace and political stability are not ensured.
“The objective of establishing the Saarc CCI won’t be achieved if there is no peace and political stability,” he said.
Sartaj said half of the Saarc region’s population is below 25 years of age and this youth group is a big human resource for the region, and they will have to be used in the development process.
He said the Saarc countries need a stronger political will to overcome the obstacles the entire region is now facing.
“We can generate a momentum in regional cooperation if the political will is there,” he said.
Sarat said working together in the region can help people have a better living. “Let’s join hands to tap all the potentials that we have. We need a political will to move ahead,” he said.
Saarc CCI president Annisul Haque, its vice president Abul Kashem Ahmed, and former vice president of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Abu Alam Chowdhury also attended the meeting.
Comments