Bhutan

Adoption of Ministerial Declaration, Climate Change Summit

19 November 2011, Thimphu:The Himalayan nations of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal adopted a declaration on behalf of their Governments wherein a regional 'framework of cooperation' was agreed upon to build resilience and buffer the impacts of climate change as a common prerogative during the Climate Change Summit held in Thimphu.

The 'Framework of Cooperation' is aimed at implementing regional cooperative actions to build resilience to climate change in the southern watersheds of the eastern Himalayas by: Ensuring energy security and enhancing alternative technologies; Securing the natural freshwater systems of the Himalayas; Ensuring food security and securing livelihoods; and Securing biodiversity and ensuring its sustainable use.

The one day event was presided over by the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Lyonchhoen Jigmi Y Thinley and attended by Environment Ministers from the four countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal. In addition several development partners also attended the event.

The event was organized with support from the UNDP, ICIMOD, IFAD, WWF, the Mac Arthur Foundation and DANIDA. For more information on the Summit, bhutanclimatesummit.org.bt