Inception Workshop: NAPA Project to Climate Change

A two-day inception workshop (25 - 26 May, 09) organized by the Ministry fo Environment, Science and Technology on National Adaptation Programme of Action Project to Climate Change commenced in the capital on Monday at Hotel Everest Kathmandu.

 The main objective of the workshop was to provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to re-examine the originally set goal of the project-its output, targets and activities. It was also organized with an expectation to build common understanding about how NAPA process will work and the role of various partners and how they will feed in and to identify the thematic areas the NAPA should consider and identify urgent and immediate adaptation needs. Likewise, the program also supports to develop a roadmap of systematic NAPA stakeholder Consultation for 2009 and to discuss the distinguishing and complementary aspects of the NAPA

 Prior to becoming eligible to secure funding as a party state to the Convention, Nepal requires preparation for the NAPA. NAPA is a framework of action on climate change that identifies immediate priorities for climate resilient, low carbon development. With this the government, civil society and donors can jointly support a programme that will protect the poor of Nepal, who are the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Nepal NAPA has been supported by DANIDA, DFID, UNDP and GEF.

 The welcome session was addressed by Jorn Sorensen, the deputy country director for the UNDP Nepal, Peter Olesen, the deputy head of mission at the Embassy of Denmark and Clare Shakya, the senior regional environment and water advisor, South Asia Policy Team for the DFID Nepal. They assured for continued support on Climate change in Nepal. Speaking at the programme, chief secretary Dr Bhoj Ghimire said the government has given top priority to the implementation of the multilateral environment-related agreements, including the climate change convention.

 The technical session began with the presentation of Mr. Purshottam Ghimire NPD, NAPA. Mr. Ghimire discussed about climate Change initiatives in Nepal, strengthening of National capacity on and strengthening of capacity and finance flow. It was followed by the presentation of Ms. Jessica Ayers, Climate Change Network facilitator (NAPA Project) Presented on NAPA: International and national perspective.
As an international expertise Mr. Karma Repten (Bhutan), Mr. Mohammad Reazuddin (Bangladesh), Mr. Gernett Laganda (UNDP, Thailand) shared their NAPA preparation in their respective countries.

 In both the day, Mr. Batu Uprety, NPM, NAPA shared about the NAPA Project (Compnent-1, 2 and 3) According to him, NAPA component-1 is as ordinary NAPA whereas component 2 & 3 are NAPA+ or NAPA beyond.
First day, there were there working groups focused on Consultative mechanism and NAPA preparation modality, Identification of thematic areas and Climate Change Knowledge, activities and gaps

 Ms. Cindy Malvicini from ADB shared on PPCR and relationship with NAPA: Donor’s Perspective. This presentation was followed by group work where discussion was made on two broader topics technical and capacity Support (multi stakeholder framework of Action for CC) and Knowledge management and Learning platform. Later on there was presentation made by a group co-ordinator on the topic discussed in the group.

 In the closing session, Batu Krishna Uprety of MoEST made a brief review of the two days workshop. Speaking in the program Vijaya Sing of UNDP admired the initiates taken by the Ministry on climate change activities. Mr. Gahendra Gurung Practice Action put the conclusion remarks from the side of participants. Finally, the workshop concludes with the final remarks from Mr. Umesh Prashad Mainali secretary of MoEST and Mr. Pursottam Ghimiore Jont Secretry of the MoEST.