Prof. Dr. Jiba Raj Pokharel, Vice Chancellor at Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), inaugurated theInternational Conference on Climate Change Innovation and Resilience for Sustainable Livelihood by watering a plant and  highlighted the need of traditional knowledge for climate resilient communities

Participated by 350 experts and policymakers from 27 countries, this is first of its king international conference held in Nepal.

Prof. Suresh Raj Chalise, Chair of the Conference advisory committee, welcomed participants and guests across the globe and emphasized on the need of innovation and resilience. ‘Nepal, while small in size, boasts incredible diversity in terms of landscape and culture, making ideal place for scientific investigation into climate change issues”,said, Dr.Tek Bahadur Gurung, Executive Director at Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC).

Dr. Amy Tohill Stull, Deputy Director, USAIDNepal highlighted the importance of resilience in the face of climate change induced disasters, especially in vulnerable countries like Nepal.

The three-day conference is one of the largest gatherings in Nepal on climate change innovation focused on resilience and livelihood issues. The conference is bringing innovative approaches from the physical and social sciences to support economic development, climate hazards, and environmental justice challenges along with food, water, and soil management issues.

Several experts, scientist and policy planner spoke at the opening ceremony including Prof. Kailash N. Pyakuryal, Vice Chancellor at Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU), Dr. Rishi Ram Sharma,Director General, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), Dr.Keshav Prasad Premy, Director General at Department of Livestock Services (DLS),Dr. Nir Y Krakauer from City University of New York (CUNY), USA and Dr. Ajay K Jha,Colorado State University (CSU),USA.Dr. MadanLallShrestha,Academician, Nepal Academy of science and Technology (NAST) and Advisor at SEN chaired the opening ceremony.

Alongside the conference, poster presentation and exhibition also opened with number of exhibitors and presenters. Following opening ceremony, participants also attended sessions on policy,climate,water resources,Agriculture and Livestock and Gender and Livelihood.The conference will continue till 14th of January with sessions and high-level panel discussions for future directions to meet climate change challenges.

According to a press release issued by the organizers, the conference is a joint effort of Small Earth Nepal, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC), Agriculture and Forestry University (AFU) from Nepal and City University of New York (CUNY) and Colorado State University from USA. Several organizations have supported the conference technically and financially including USAID, ICIMOD and Asia Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN).