Building a common goal
Thimphu: The ninth meeting of SAARC environment ministers and the fourth meeting of the technical committee on environment and forestry successfully concluded in the capital yesterday.
Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba, the Minister-in-Charge of the Bhutanese government, graced the inaugural ceremony of the meeting as the chief guest. He stated that though Bhutan is one of the smaller member states of SAARC, it has been steadfast in its commitment to SAARC both in spirit and action.
Lyonpo also stated that the people and the Bhutanese government were honored to host the sixteenth SAARC summit in Thimphu in April last year – the silver jubilee year of the SAARC. And as the current chair, he said it has been a challenge for Bhutan to ensure that the momentum and positive environment generated by Thimphu summit is maintained and built on.
A moment of silence was also observed in respect of those who have been affected by the September 18 earthquake which struck Bhutan, India and Nepal.
As part of the duties as the SAARC chair, Bhutan, among others, has hosted a large number of SAARC activities including the inter-summit session of the SAARC council of ministers in February, the SAARC home ministers meet in July and now the meeting of the environment ministers yesterday.
It was the last SAARC ministerial meet hosted by Bhutan before the chair is passed on to the Maldives when they host the 17th SAARC summit in November this year.
Minsiter-in-Charge for Environment, Dr Pema Gyamtsho, urged the leaders to provide avenues that will convert public will into political will, and political will into action and implementation.
After the conclusion of the meet, Lyonpo Dr Pema Gyamtsho told reporters that the meeting was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. “We agreed on how the SAARC will present its issues jointly in the next COP meeting,” he said.
A press release stated that Lyonpo Yeshey Zimba, during his opening statement, highlighted the impacts of climate change in Bhutan.
He said that damage to the environment and subsequent erosion in Bhutan would result in flooding and will threaten lives and properties in the plains of India and Bangladesh.
Lyonpo also said air pollution in India and Bangladesh also brings adverse effects to Bhutan, and ultimately ‘we will all fall victims to climate change,’ adding that climate change and its impact was a common problem that should be addressed collectively.
Source: bhutantoday