KABUL (TCA) — On 8 August, the European Union Delegation to Afghanistan conducted the third Serena Dialogue titled “Climate Change in Afghanistan: Common Challenge, Collective Response”.
The conference was opened and moderated by EU Head of Delegation Ambassador Pierre Mayaudon. It discussed the multifaceted impact of climate change on Afghanistan, one of the world’s most affected countries, and the possible ways to collectively mitigate the consequences of a continuous increase of temperatures. The Dialogue started with a panel discussion in which the Director General of Afghanistan National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA) Shah Zaman Maiwandi and representatives of civil society, private sector and media approached the problem along various angles: economic, societal, and regional.
“Afghanistan, as a member of the global community, is already experiencing the consequences of climate change. Reduction of underground waters, severe drought throughout the country and excessive warm weather are the obvious consequences of climate change and global warming. This situation may worsen in the coming years if mitigation and adaptation measures are not put in place. Climate change affects rural and urban populations alike, the agricultural economy, and may lead to increasing numbers of internally displaced people and irregular migration. It is time to act and address it as a matter of extreme urgency that should unite the whole Afghan society,” said Ambassador Mayaudon at the opening of the conference.
Participants called on relevant organizations, stakeholders and public to take necessary preventive and adaptation measures to limit the consequences of climate change in the coming years.
“The European Union, under the “Sustainable Growth and Jobs” component of its Development Assistance Program to Afghanistan, provides support to renewable energies. Together with its Members States, EU also supports multiple initiatives in irrigation and water management, infrastructure, natural resources management and reforestation. Addressing the challenges of Climate Change is not a task for only a few specialists, but it is rather a national obligation that should mobilize all Afghans. Combating climate change is working for peace,” added Ambassador Mayaudon.
The European Union representative said the EU will continue to regard climate change in Afghanistan as a priority and will support the people and Government of Afghanistan in countering its adverse consequences.
