Nepal to host international conference on climate change

Over 200 scientists from two dozen countries, including India, would be attending a conference here to discuss measures on reducing the impact of climate change and melting of the glaciers in the Himalayan region.
The international conference on the theme "Mountain People Adapting to Change" would be held from November 9 to 12.
The conference jointly organised by Nepal's Ministry of Science and Technology and International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) will bring together over 200 experts, government officials and stakeholders from across the globe.
Experts and government officials from India, Afghanistan, Bangaladesh, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan would be participating in the meeting, ICIMOD said in a statement.

Prime Minister Sushil Koirala is scheduled to inaugurate the conference at ICIMOD Headquarters in Kathmandu on Sunday.
The main objectives of the conference is to share evidence-based scientific knowledge to improve the action on adaptation, particular to climate change, generate awareness and engagement by facilitating dialogue in the Hindu Kush Himalayas.

The meeting would also foster partnership towards addressing adaptation and vulnerability in the entire region.
"By drawing together the latest knowledge, policies, and practices on adaptation, the conference aims to strengthen the interface between science, policy and practices and improve communication for adaptation to change in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region and downstream," the statement said.

Hindu Kush Himalayas provides food security, biodiversity, genetic resources and livelihoods to more than 210 million people.
The region is a source of water coming from ten of Asia's major river systems for more than 1.3 billion people living in downstream river basins.
"Climate change and other changes have already begun to impact ecosystems and communities across the region, as well as those downstream," it said.