Minister Shrestha stresses on data exchange, regional cooperation

Kathmandu, Oct 28: Emphasis has been laid on space technology and data exchange and regional cooperation for mitigation of complex disasters caused by climate change in Himalayan region.

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, stressed this in the inaugural session of the Fifth-Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for sustainable development in Asia and the Pacific organised in Bangkok of Thailand.  The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific has organised the Conference.

Speaking at an event organised this morning, Minister Shrestha emphasized on the need of regional cooperation and use of technology to combat climate and geo-disasters.

On the occasion, he drew the attention of the conference about the big-disasters, loss of lives and properties, impacts of under construction hydropower projects due to recent avalanche at Lirung of Langtang and landslide at Budhigandaki area.

He said that Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment estimated the total losses caused by the disaster at around 2.7 billion US dollars, with about 4.8 billion US dollars needed for reconstruction.

Welcoming the draft of the Bangkok Ministerial Declaration, the Minister echoed the need for strengthening satellite data sharing, early warning systems, and technical cooperation during the third phase (2026–2030).

He further reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2045 and protecting and promoting clean energy systems, despite the country contributing only 0.01 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Minister Shrestha shared with the gathering that a regional dialogue “Sagarmatha to the Sea: Lessons from Disasters Bhotekoshi–Trishuli disaster in Nepal for strengthening to cascading Hazards in Asia and the Pacific ‘ jointly organized by Nepal and the UN ESCAP would be held on Thursday (October 29), as the side event of the conference.

He reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2045 and protecting clean energy systems, despite the country contributing only 0.01% of global greenhouse gas emissions. (RSS)