KATHMANDU: More than hundred youths from eight different countries of South Asia vowed to jointly combat against the impact of climate change in the region.

The South Asian Youth Summit on Climate Change concluded today with the Kathmandu declaration. The participants from Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bhutan expressed their commitment to exert pressures on their respective governments to work for ‘South Asia common agenda on climate change’.

“We believe in effective participation and negotiation by all countries, especially those most vulnerable at global level, towards concrete solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change,” said Manjeet Dhakal, coordinator of the summit.

The participating youths strongly demanded to decrease the amount of Carbon dioxide (Co2) below 350 ppm (parts per million). Presently, the concentration of the Co2 in the atmosphere is 387 ppm.

“We urge the developed countries to commit for emission cut of 45 per cent by 2020 and 90 percent by 2050 with the base year 1990,” said Vositha Wijinayake of Sri Lanka. The Kyoto Protocol too states that the developed countries have to cut the green house gas emission by 5.2 per cent.

“India and China are among the largest emitters but they fall under the developing countries list,” said Dhakal. “So, as the developing countries too, they should commit to reduce the green house gas emission clearly in certain time frame.”

The youths demanded to establish a South Asian regional centre with the full financial assistance by the developed countries for carrying out scientific research that would spread information about the climate change and help create awareness on its effects.