Meghalaya hosts climate change conclave in conjunction with G20 Summit

The event is a result of joint efforts by the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), a climate research institution, and the Meghalaya Basin Development Agency (MBDA), a governmental organization, reported EastMojo.

Representatives from the United Nations and countries such as Mexico, Sri Lanka, Kenya, France, Nepal, USA, Bangladesh, Italy, Germany, South Africa, Brazil, Maldives, and Rome.

Distinguished organizations like the World Economic Forum, SEWA India, ASCON India, South African BRICS Youth Association (SABYA), and TERI India are participating in the event.

During the inaugural session, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma delivered the keynote address, underlining the reality of the climate change crisis. He stressed the critical need to strike a balance between sustainable economic progress and environmental concerns by integrating green and sustainable ideas into development initiatives.

In terms of power supply, Sangma drew attention to Meghalaya's considerable coal resources and the potential solution presented by thermal power plants. He also emphasized the need to identify environmentally aware strategies for addressing power problems.

Sangma further emphasised the connection of Meghalaya’s indigenous tribes to nature and biodiversity, underscoring how they have always “upheld the responsibility of protecting this heaven for ages”.

In the wake of climate change, increasing pollution, deforestation, loss of biodiversity and other environmental issues, Sangma proposed the establishment of annual conferences through the Centre of Excellence project.

He said, that the project aims to allow citizens, especially students, “to experience, learn and start dialogues on various topics such as climate change and other environmental related issues”

Reflecting on his childhood, he recalled the abundance of oranges in his village, a stark contrast to the present, where their scarcity is attributed to climate change.