POKHARA: In an effort to tackle the urgent challenge of climate change, the US Alumni Network (NUSAN) and the Institute for Strategic and Socio-Economic Research (ISSR) collaborated to co-host the two-day 2023 Summit on Climate Change (SCC) in Pokhara, Nepal.

The event received valuable support from the United States Embassy in Nepal.

The program witnessed participation from over 70 young individuals actively engaged in addressing climate change issues throughout the country.

Chief Minister of Gandaki Province, Surendra Pandey, inaugurated the program as the Chief Guest and highlighted the crucial importance of raising awareness among the public regarding climate change.

“The current efforts in raising awareness on climate change are insufficient. We must intensify our work on this issue,” stated Pandey, emphasizing the need for greater action.

He further remarked, “Gandaki Province has allocated a budget to effectively combat the adverse impacts of climate change.”

Pandey urged all stakeholders, including local governments, to join hands in combating the effects of climate change.

He emphasized the importance of conducting thorough studies before initiating road construction projects.

Chief Minister Pandey asserted that the provincial government would organize public awareness programs in the near future to minimize the occurrence of forest fires.

As the Special Guest of the program, Garrett E. Wilkerson, Public Affairs Chief at the US Embassy in Nepal, mentioned that the United States has invested over $270 billion to mitigate carbon emissions.

He further emphasized that the US government, through organizations like USAID, has been actively showcasing adaptation and resilience measures to mitigate the global impacts of climate change, including in Nepal.

He also expressed the commitment of the US Government to support local and national governments in building disaster resilience, as well as providing assistance for hydropower development in Nepal.

“There is a pressing need for leadership and policymakers to take initiative in combating the effects of climate change,” he emphasized, while expressing the US Government’s willingness to cooperate with the Nepal Government and stakeholders.

Similarly, Dhan Raj Acharya, the Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan City, highlighted various climate change initiatives during his speech as a special guest.

“Pokhara Municipality is actively working towards declaring Pokhara as a tourism capital, with a budget allocation of approximately 7.5 billion,” he stated. Acharya further expressed his goal to transform Pokhara Metropolis into a carbon-neutral city.

He mentioned an ongoing collaboration with KOICA to develop green systems, with an investment of about Rs 6 billion. Additionally, he highlighted the planting of around two lakh saplings in coordination with IOF Pokhara to promote a sustainable and clean environment.

Acharya also announced the launch of the “Himalayan Cleaning Campaign” in collaboration with the Nepali Army. Furthermore, he revealed plans to ban plastic bags below 40 microns starting from the next fiscal year.

The two-day event aims to address the pressing issue of climate change by bringing together influential leaders, experts, and stakeholders from across Nepal to devise innovative solutions and chart a sustainable path forward.

The Summit witnessed a diverse range of over 70 participants.

It should be noted that Saroj Bista, President of NUSAN and Naresh Shrestha, Director of ISSR have been conducting several networking events among climate activists for the past year.