FAO in Nepal

Mustang Advocacy Summit 2022 concludes with 28 points declaration on addressing mountain agenda

Right Honorable PM Sher Bahadur Deuba addressed the Mustang Advocacy Summit 2022.
23/09/2022

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Government of Nepal successfully conducted the Mustang Advocacy Summit to mark the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development (IYSMD) 2022 on 20-21 September 2022 culminated into a 28-point declaration on addressing six major themes of the mountain agenda.

Addressing the inaugural session, Rt. Honourable Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba opined that the temperature is in an increasing trend between 0.3-0.6 °C and posing a serious threat to our mountain agriculture, economy, livelihoods, ecosystems and women.  Prime Minister also stressed that people in the mountains of the Hindu Kush Himalayas are at increased risk of climate change and made assure that the Government of Nepal is captivating the climate agenda seriously in the global platform.

Hon’ble Pradeep Yadav, Minister for Forests and Environment requested all stakeholders for consolidated effort and systematic planning in formulating key actions to address the mountain agenda, focusing on climate adaptation and mitigation measures, preservation of the water resources, biodiversity, and forests. He highlighted the importance of preserving mountain ecosystem, bio-diversity and the crucial need for transformative mountain solutions to address multiple challenges faced by mountain inhabitants across Hindu Kush Himalaya region.

Hon’ble Krishna Chandra Nepali Pokharel, Chief Minister, Gandaki Province thanked the United Nations for declaring the year 2022 as the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development, and the Ministry of Forests and Environment on setting the Mountain Agenda from Mustang. The Chief Minister conveyed the commitment from the Gandaki Provincial Government in reducing the climate risks on biodiversity, natural and cultural heritage, water resources and overall mountain economy.

Ken Shimizu, FAO Representative for Nepal highlighted that Nepal as a mountainous country is highly vulnerable to climate change. The IYSMD aimed to strengthen the mountain agenda in the global forum, putting forward the restoration initiatives for better livelihoods of humankind.  He added that mountains are the “water towers” of the world and global hotspots for biodiversity, which must be preserved at any cost in every circumstances.

"In present, the value of the ecosystem, goods and services derived from mountains are under-recognised, under-valued and poorly compensated. The Mustang Advocacy Summit also opened avenues for regional and international collaboration to collective work on achieving the goal of sustainable mountain development," he added.  

Hon’ble Deepak Thapa, Minister for Industry, Tourism Forest and Environment addressed that the Provincial Ministry is dedicated to protecting the fragile mountain range for the mountain to low land people. He pointed to local government for their proactive planning, action and implementation for mitigating the climate change impact at local level.

Dr. Madhav Karki, Climate Change Advisor to the Prime Minister expressed the national government’s concern over the issues of climate change and suggested the global development agencies to collaborate for the formulation and implementation of mountain-friendly programs with the dedicated finance to support climate adaptation and livelihood development in the mountains.

Dr. Pem Narayan Kandel, Secretary, MoFE considered Mustang Advocacy Summit as a unique opportunity for highlighting the growing climate vulnerability of mountain communities of Nepal and the entire Hindu Kush Himalaya region.

Jamuna Thapa Magar, Vice Chairperson of Gharapjhong Municipality noticed the changing in temperature, new pests and disease in apples and lower agriculture production in the region. She put forth her concern that women are often left out of climate change issues and in key decision-making processes. She stated that the local municipality is trying to incorporate adaptation in agriculture and biodiversity.

During the summit, the presentations and panel discussion focused on 6 thematic areas namely, agriculture, biodiversity, women, culture, climate and disaster risks with long term solutions for Sustainable Mountain use. The Mustang Declaration conveyed the way forward and key action points for the global stakeholders in addressing the mountain issues most possibly in the upcoming COP 27 in Egypt and aimed to explore better opportunities in addressing the impacts of Climate Change in mountainous region.