“Initiating and sustaining dialogue and collaboration on the challenges of climate change was at the heart of the second Himalaya-Third Pole Circle meeting held in Thimphu, Bhutan, on 5 and 6 February 2015.
Her Royal Highness Princess Dechen Yangzom Wangchuck, Her Royal Highness Princess Kezang Choden Wangchuck, Prime Minister Lyonchnen Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan, and President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson of Iceland graced the inauguration of the two-day meeting.
Delivering his keynote address, Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay said people in the mountains face various challenges of increasing population, poverty, and climate change. Other challenges included deforestation, pollution, desertification, and habitat loss. “We have to work together because ‘thinking globally, acting locally’ isn’t enough. We have to think globally and act regionally,” he said.
President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson said his commitment to the Himalaya-Third Pole process is inspired by the belief that coming together can help in learning from each other. He said there is mounting evidence of how the retreating glaciers will impact the rivers and water systems in the Himalayan countries directing attention to dramatic consequences for food and energy production, security and international relations”
— www.icimod.org
Picture below is with David Molden, Executive Director of ICIMOD who is leading the science research on glacial melting and the President of Iceland.
