South Asian Climate Action Conference 2023

&

Everest Climate Action Award 2023

Date: 20-22 June, 2023

Venue: Hotel Yellow Pagoda, Kathmandu, Nepal

Co-Organizers: Youth Development Center (YDC), Land Our Future (LOF), Sipshala:The Skill Hub and National Youth Council (NYC)

Chairperson of Conference: Hon. Sunil Kumar Manandhar (Former Environment Minister)

Executive Advisor: Surendra Basnet (Vice Chairperson- National Youth Council)

Chief Guest: Hon. Ram Sahay Yadav (Vice President of Nepal)

Conference Theme: 

• SDG, COP27 & way forward on Climate Action
• Climate Change Adaptation & Building Resilience
• Regional and Cross-country Partnering on DRR and Emergency Intervention
• Local to Global Policy Linking on Climate Action & Climate Financing

Number of delegates: 125 from south Asian countries

Application form- https://forms.gle/qPvrnQhNxkVek4C48

Conference fee structure: 

1)    $ 250- (residential- 3-star hotel, twin sharing) Conference fee covers 3 nights’ & 3 days food & accommodation, pick up/drop airport, kits (bag, t-shirt, stationery & souvenir), sight-seeing, certificate

2)   $ 175- (residential- average hotel with A/C, twin sharing) Conference fee covers 3 nights’ & 3 days food & accommodation, pick up/drop airport, kits (bag, t-shirt, stationery & souvenir), sight-seeing, certificate

3) $125- (non-residential) Conference fee covers 2 days food, kits (bag, t-shirt, stationery & souvenir), sight-seeing, certificate

Background:

The South Asian region is a diverse area located in the southern part of the Asian continent and is composed of eight countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. With a population of over 1.9 billion people, it is considered the most populous region in the world, with various languages, religions, and cultures. Unfortunately, it is also recognized as one of the region’s most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to its geography, which includes the Himalayan mountain range, coastal areas, and river deltas.

The consequences of climate change in the South Asian region are evident in various aspects, such as melting glaciers in the Himalayas, which result in flooding and the formation of glacial lakes that pose a threat to downstream communities. Coastal areas also suffer from rising sea levels, leading to saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources and difficulty in accessing safe drinking water. The agriculture sector, which is crucial to many South Asian countries, is also affected by erratic rainfall patterns, extreme weather events, and increased temperatures, resulting in lower crop yields and higher food insecurity, particularly for small-scale farmers who rely on their crops for their livelihoods.

Moreover, South Asia is one of the most significant contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, with India being one of the largest emitters worldwide. However, many South Asian countries are taking measures to address climate change, such as implementing renewable energy programs and working towards reducing emissions.

Acknowledging the urgent need for action, the Youth Development Center (YDC), Land Our Future (LOF), and National Youth Council (NYC) are jointly organizing the South Asian Climate Action Conference (SACAC) in 2023 from 23-25 May in Kathmandu, Nepal with the chairmanship of Former Minister of Environment Ministry of Nepal Hon. Sunil Kumar Manandhar. 

The conference aims to provide a platform for young leaders from various South Asian countries representing climate activists, researchers, scholars, government representatives, university students and civil society pioneers to discuss ways to counter the challenges of climate change, share ideas and experiences, and learn from each other. With keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions, SACAC 2023 will facilitate the exchange of ideas, best practices, and the creation of partnerships and collaborations among the youth of the region towards a sustainable and resilient future.

The South Asian Climate Action Conference (SACAC) is set to welcome approximately 125 delegates from different nations and backgrounds, aged between 16 and 40, who will be well-balanced in terms of gender. 

The conference will span three days, with a welcome ceremony on first day followed by  grand opening and closing session and featuring four thematic presentations from experts related to the respective conference themes and 12 cross-cutting presentations from delegates from diverse sectors, including researchers and community practitioners. 

The conference will be inaugurated by the Vice President of Nepal, Hon. Ram Sahaya Yadav as the chief guest, along with the Hon. Former Environment Minister of Nepal, Sunil Kumar Manandhar as chairman with presence of Youth and Environment Minister of Nepal. The event will be attended by members of parliament, local assembly members, senior bureaucrats, and diplomats. Other notable guests will include Honorable Ministers of Province Government, Resident Ambassadors, Senior Diplomats, and UN officials who will be invited as special guests in the opening session.

Objectives:

The conference aims to facilitate knowledge sharing, promote collaboration and networking, and inspire young people to take action. The conference will provide a platform for the participants to learn about regional and global climate change issues, share their experiences and contributions, and develop strategies for addressing the challenges of climate change in South Asia.

• To raise awareness: The conference aims to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change in the South Asian region and the urgent need for action. It seeks to engage a broad range of stakeholders, including youth, civil society, researchers, government officials, and others, to build greater awareness of the challenges and opportunities associated with climate change.

• To share knowledge and experiences: The conference provides a platform for participants to share their knowledge and experiences of working on climate change issues. It seeks to facilitate dialogue between stakeholders and build a common understanding of the issues, challenges, and opportunities for climate action in the South Asian region.

• To encourage collaboration: The conference seeks to encourage collaboration among stakeholders working on climate change issues in the South Asian region. It aims to bring together diverse perspectives and encourage the development of partnerships that can help address the complex and interconnected challenges associated with climate change.

• To develop innovative solutions: The conference aims to promote the development of innovative solutions to climate change challenges in the South Asian region. It encourages participants to share their ideas and experiences and to explore new approaches and technologies that can help reduce emissions, build resilience, and promote sustainable development.

• To influence policy: The conference seeks to influence policy at the local, national, and regional levels. It provides an opportunity for stakeholders to engage with policymakers and decision-makers and to share their insights and recommendations for climate action. The conference aims to contribute to the development of more effective and sustainable climate policies in the South Asian region.

Expected Outcomes: 

The South Asian Climate Action Conference (SACAC) aims to achieve several expected outcomes. These outcomes include:

• Building a network of climate action leaders: The conference aims to bring together climate action initiator and leaders from South Asian countries that are passionate about tackling climate change. Through networking and collaboration, the conference hopes to create a strong network of young leaders who can work together to address climate issues.

• Sharing knowledge and experiences: The conference provides a platform for participants to share their knowledge, experiences, and best practices related to climate action. This sharing of information can lead to new and innovative ideas for tackling climate change.

• Developing regional partnerships: SACAC provides an opportunity for participants to develop partnerships with other individuals and organizations in the South Asian region. These partnerships can lead to more effective and coordinated efforts to address climate change.

• Identifying opportunities for collaboration: The conference aims to identify opportunities for collaboration between governments, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector to address climate change. These collaborations can lead to more effective policies and actions to tackle climate issues.

• Raising awareness and advocacy: SACAC aims to raise awareness and advocacy on the importance of climate action in the South Asian region. By bringing together young leaders and experts, the conference can generate media coverage and public attention on the issue.

• Promoting youth-led climate action: The conference aims to promote youth-led climate action and encourage young people to take a leadership role in addressing climate change. By showcasing successful youth-led initiatives, the conference hopes to inspire other young people to take action in their communities.

Overall, the expected outcomes of SACAC are to build a strong network of young leaders, share knowledge and experiences, develop partnerships, identify opportunities for collaboration, raise awareness and advocacy, and promote youth-led climate action. These outcomes can contribute to a more coordinated and effective approach to tackling climate change in the South Asian region.

Conference Highlights:

• Keynote Speakers
• Panel Discussions
• Workshops and Breakout Sessions
• Networking Opportunities
• Exhibitions/Display
• Paper or Abstract Presentations
• Awards and Recognition
• Cultural Exchange
• Sightseeing

Conference Schedule:

19th June- Welcome and Registration

20th June: Inauguration, award ceremony, thematic session & cultural evening

21st June: Thematic sessions and networking

22nd June: Sightseeing and farewell

Participants Registration and Guideline:

Registration:

Interested participants/delegates are required to register for the conference through the provided link. Once the registration is complete, an official invitation letter will be provided to the delegates, and if necessary, a hotel reservation letter will be issued to assist with the visa process.

During the registration process, you will have the option to select different accommodation preferences, which will result in different registration fees.

If you wish to present or display at the conference, please notify us in advance during the form fill-up. After completing the registration, you will be required to make an advance payment of the registration fee to confirm your final participation. We will provide you with the payment methods based on your convenience.

Confirmation:

To confirm your participation, please share a copy of your passport, even if you are in the process of obtaining tickets and a visa. This will help us in finalizing your registration.

In addition, kindly provide us with a copy of your Air/Train/Bus ticket for your accommodation and transportation arrangements. Hotel check-in will start at 12:00 PM on June 19th, and check-out is scheduled by 12:00 PM on June 22nd.

If you have already applied for and received your visa, please share a copy with us. If you need any assistance or additional visa documents, our team is ready to support you. Please inform us if you plan to obtain an on-arrival visa.

Furthermore, please share a copy of the payment confirmation for the registration fee.

Visa Guidelines:

To attend the conference, please note that a valid visa may be required for entry into Nepal (excluding Indian nationals). While nationals of SAARC member countries (excluding Afghanistan) can obtain a free visa on arrival for 15 or 30 days, we strongly recommend applying for a visa at the nearest Nepali embassy or consulate to avoid any immigration difficulties. Ensure you have sufficient time to apply by submitting the necessary documentation, including a valid passport, completed visa application form, and a recent passport-sized photograph.

Here are the Nepalese Embassy and their websites in SAARC countries:

Bangladesh: Embassy of Nepal in Dhaka – https://bd.nepalembassy.gov.np   

Pakistan: Embassy of Nepal in Islamabad – http://pk.nepalembassy.gov.np/

Sri Lanka: Embassy of Nepal in Colombo – https://lk.nepalembassy.gov.np/ 

India: Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi – https://in.nepalembassy.gov.np/

The Embassy of Nepal in Colombo has been accredited to Maldives & The Embassy of Nepal in Delhi has been accredited to Bhutan and Afghanistan.

Additional Stay:

If you intend to extend your stay before or after the conference, please inform us. We will be happy to assist you with managing additional accommodations or arranging side meetings.

Proposed Title of Presentation

Thematic Presentation:

• SDG, COP27 & way forward on Climate Action
• Climate Change Adaptation & Building Resilience
• Regional and Cross-country Partnering on DRR and Emergency Intervention
• Local to Global Policy Linking of Climate Action & Climate Financing

 Cross-cutting Presentation:

Bangladesh: 

• Country specific status on climate change adaptation practice in Bangladesh
• Black Soldiers Fly: Nutritious Farming
• Climate Change Adaptation Practice in North-East Bangladesh: A CAse of IDEA

India: 

• Climate change adaptation practices from Champavat, In north western Himalayas, India
• Environmental degradation and encroachment in environment in Kashmir
• Climate Change Adaptation & Building Resilience

Maldives: 

• Climate change impact; Mitigation & adaptation for next generation of Maldivians people

Nepal: 

• Climate Justice for indigenous and local Peoples
• Climate change effect at Hindu Kush (himali belt) & adaptation practices 
• Climate change adaptation in Agriculture; importance and practices

Pakistan: 

• Mitigating the Impact of Climate Change-Induced Floods in Sindh, Pakistan: Strategies for Building Resilience and Adaptation”
• The Role of Legal and Policy Frameworks in Driving Climate Change Action
• Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture Worker/ Cotton workers in Sindh Pakistan

Sri Lanka:

• Climate change effect in Coastal area in Sri Lanka and adaptation strategy

United State of America (USA)

• Multi-Faceted Adaptation to Climate Change: More than Just Hybrid Seeds

 

South Asian Climate Action Conference (SACAC) 2023

Secretariat: Youth Development Center (YDC) 

Minbhawan, Kathmandu, Nepal

ydc.network@gmail.com , www.ydc.org.np

+977 9851018425 (call/WhatsApp/Viber)