A handing over ceremony was organized during the 18th Conference of Parties (COP 18) in Doha on Thursday. The convention will be held in Gambia.[break]
Prakash Mathema, joint secretary at the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, will chair the LDC group in the UNFCCC. His chairmanship will take effect from January 2013.
Addressing the representatives of LDC member countries, Mathema said, “This new responsibility as the chair of LDC group brings opportunities and challenges for Nepal. To lead LDC group amidst current complexity in the climate negotiation is a challenge, but it also provides an opportunity for Nepal to show its leadership.”
He acknowledged the role of Gambia for laying a solid foundation for the LDC group in the UNFCCC process. He urged all the member countries to continue their positive engagement and support during his tenure.
Minister for Environment, Science and Technology Keshab Man Shakya said that Nepal will provide strong leadership to the LDC group and promised that the Government of Nepal would provide full support to the incoming chair.
Representatives from the member countries of LDC group and partner organizations appreciated the work of Pa Ousman Jarju, the current chair of LDC group, for his strong leadership in the last two years.
Gambian minister congratulated Nepal and said that the group has high expectation from Nepal as the new leader.
On the occasion, Nepal also organized a reception for the representatives of LDCs and partner organizations in Doha.
Least Developed Countries group (LDC group) is a group of 48 least developed countries that are party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This group is one of the major negotiating groups in the UNFCCC.
(Freelance journalist Dhakal contributed this report from Doha)
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