Mizzima: South Asian countries to c

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   South Asian countries to cooperate to combat environmental problems

New Delhi, May 17, 2001
Mizzima News Group (www.mizzima.com)

As atmospheric issues recognize no borders and boundaries,
environmentalists, Members of Parliament and academics from South Asian
region recently met in New Delhi to find out how five South Asian
countries have responded to atmospheric issues like ozone depletion and
climate change.

The South Asian Consultation on Atmospheric Issues, held from May 10 to
11, stressed the role of regional cooperation to combat environmental
problems. The Consultation organized jointly by United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP), Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS) and
South Asia Watch on Trade Environment and Economics (SAWTEE) was
participated by more than 40 participants from five South Asian
countries, namely Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Speaking at the inaugural, Suresh Prabhu, Power Minister of India
explained the how ozone depletion and global warming could adversely
affect the agricultural sector in this region. He said that atmospheric
issue is not a rich man's issue, as thought by strong lobby operating in
this region. It is as important an issue like eradication of poverty,
hunger and raising the standard of living of the people. People must
understand that our very survival is threatened due to damage caused to
the environment.

"There is a great danger for South Asia to be marginalized on global
atmospheric debates and negotiations. I strongly feel that the time has
come to look at the various viable initiatives and an important one
would be to create a caucus of South Asian Parliamentarians to bring
atmospheric concerns separately into public policy debate" said Mabel
Rebello, Member of Parliament from India.

India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have made certain
commitments to phase out ODS (Ozone Depleting Substance) under the
Montreal Protocol in several sectors like the refrigeration and
air-conditioning sector. The Consultation also took stock of how much
these countries have been fulfilled their commitments till date. The
Consultation also took stock of the initiatives taken by each these
countries in reduction of emission of greenhouse gas under the Kyoto
Protocol. The build up of greenhouse gases, responsible for global
warming, is continuing at a disastrous rate and if immediate steps are
not taken then the situation is likely to worsen. The Kyoto Protocol
puts an obligation on developed countries to cut greenhouse gas
emissions that are responsible for climate change.

At present the Kyoto Protocol is under uncertainty with no political
agreement being reached last year during the 6th Conference of Parties.
None of the five South Asian countries have any binding commitment to
reduce greenhouse gas emission. As climate change is a global problem it
was felt that each of these countries should be asked to take more
initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"Often Parliamentarians are not adequately on informed on these issues
so force the desired legislative changes needed to address these issues
better," said Abdul Moin Khan, Member of Parliament from Bangladesh.

"Developing countries need financial as well as technical help in order
to meet their international environmental commitments so we need to team
up and ensure that we get this financial and technical help from the
developed countries mainly responsible for the pollution," said Mr.
Hemkumara Nanayakkara, Member of Parliament from Sri Lanka.

Deliberations took place on the present measures of the five South Asian
Countries on Ozone Depleting Substance (ODS) phase-out and the actions
that have been taken by these countries to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.

Participants also agreed on the need to make efforts to take local
initiatives to deploy adequate human and financial resources on their
own at national levels in order to prove their commitments and
initiative. The event had not only created awareness among key
parliamentarians but also evaluated the "on the ground" situation in
each country and outline appropriate policy responses for addressing
atmospheric issues under the Montreal Protocol and Kyoto Protocol. All
the participating Parliamentarians unanimously agreed to form caucus to
address atmospheric issues.

Participants also felt that existing regional institutions like SAARC at
Kathmandu and SACEP at Colombo should be strengthened and revitalised
with necessary resources to kick-start this kind of regional
cooperation.




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<center><b><font color="#3333FF"><font size=+2>South Asian countries to
cooperate to combat environmental problems</font></font></b></center>

<p><b><font color="#990000"><font size=+1>New Delhi, May 17, 2001</font></font></b>
<br><b><font color="#990000"><font size=+1>Mizzima News Group (<a href="http://www.mizzima.com";>www.mizzima.com</a>)</font></font></b>
<p><font size=+1>As atmospheric issues recognize no borders and boundaries,
environmentalists, Members of Parliament and academics from South Asian
region recently met in New Delhi to find out how five South Asian countries
have responded to atmospheric issues like ozone depletion and climate change.</font>
<p><font size=+1>The South Asian Consultation on Atmospheric Issues, held
from May 10 to 11, stressed the role of regional cooperation to combat
environmental problems. The Consultation organized jointly by United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP), Consumer Unity &amp; Trust Society (CUTS)
and South Asia Watch on Trade Environment and Economics (SAWTEE) was participated
by more than 40 participants from five South Asian countries, namely Bangladesh,
India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.</font>
<p><font size=+1>Speaking at the inaugural, Suresh Prabhu, Power Minister
of India explained the how ozone depletion and global warming could adversely
affect the agricultural sector in this region. He said that atmospheric
issue is not a rich man's issue, as thought by strong lobby operating in
this region. It is as important an issue like eradication of poverty, hunger
and raising the standard of living of the people. People must understand
that our very survival is threatened due to damage caused to the environment.</font>
<p><font size=+1>"There is a great danger for South Asia to be marginalized
on global atmospheric debates and negotiations. I strongly feel that the
time has come to look at the various viable initiatives and an important
one would be to create a caucus of South Asian Parliamentarians to bring
atmospheric concerns separately into public policy debate" said Mabel Rebello,
Member of Parliament from India.</font>
<p><font size=+1>India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have
made certain commitments to phase out ODS (Ozone Depleting Substance) under
the Montreal Protocol in several sectors like the refrigeration and air-conditioning
sector. The Consultation also took stock of how much these countries have
been fulfilled their commitments till date. The Consultation also took
stock of the initiatives taken by each these countries in reduction of
emission of greenhouse gas under the Kyoto Protocol. The build up of greenhouse
gases, responsible for global warming, is continuing at a disastrous rate
and if immediate steps are not taken then the situation is likely to worsen.
The Kyoto Protocol puts an obligation on developed countries to cut greenhouse
gas emissions that are responsible for climate change.</font>
<p><font size=+1>At present the Kyoto Protocol is under uncertainty with
no political agreement being reached last year during the 6th Conference
of Parties. None of the five South Asian countries have any binding commitment
to reduce greenhouse gas emission. As climate change is a global problem
it was felt that each of these countries should be asked to take more initiative
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.</font>
<p><font size=+1>"Often Parliamentarians are not adequately on informed
on these issues so force the desired legislative changes needed to address
these issues better," said Abdul Moin Khan, Member of Parliament from Bangladesh.</font>
<p><font size=+1>"Developing countries need financial as well as technical
help in order to meet their international environmental commitments so
we need to team up and ensure that we get this financial and technical
help from the developed countries mainly responsible for the pollution,"
said Mr. Hemkumara Nanayakkara, Member of Parliament from Sri Lanka.</font>
<p><font size=+1>Deliberations took place on the present measures of the
five South Asian Countries on Ozone Depleting Substance (ODS) phase-out
and the actions that have been taken by these countries to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions.</font>
<p><font size=+1>Participants also agreed on the need to make efforts to
take local initiatives to deploy adequate human and financial resources
on their own at national levels in order to prove their commitments and
initiative. The event had not only created awareness among key parliamentarians
but also evaluated the "on the ground" situation in each country and outline
appropriate policy responses for addressing atmospheric issues under the
Montreal Protocol and Kyoto Protocol. All the participating Parliamentarians
unanimously agreed to form caucus to address atmospheric issues.</font>
<p><font size=+1>Participants also felt that existing regional institutions
like SAARC at Kathmandu and SACEP at Colombo should be strengthened and
revitalised with necessary resources to kick-start this kind of regional
cooperation.</font>
<br>&nbsp;
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