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THE KATHMANDU DECLARATION 2005
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| We, the 152 participants from nine countries, in the capacity as individual environmental experts and representatives of environmental NGOs’, of The Seventh Asia-Pacific NGOs’ Environmental Conference (APNEC 7) held in Kathmandu Nepal from 4th November to 6th November 2005, |
SOLEMNLY REAFFIRMING our stand and commitment to continue to work for the issues included in THE KAOSHIUNG DECLARATION 2002,
REITERATING our commitment to basic principles of environmental management as laid down in international instruments ratified under the auspices of United Nations,
REALIZING the need to address the environmental concerns and challenges posed in Asia Pacific Region by conflict situations and natural disasters,
ACKNOWLEDGING that the effort made by NGO sector in addressing environmental concerns and challenges posed by both human and natural factors and more particularly conflict situation and natural disasters is significant but not adequate,
NOTING that despite of public commitments and policy declarations by the governments of the region, there is a significant gap in the resource allocation and execution of environment laws and policies,
CONSCIOUS that these objectives cannot be achieved unless government and nongovernment sectors work together,
RECOGNISING that one of the underlying reasons for such conflict situations in Asia-Pacific region is unequal distribution and control over natural resources,
COMMITING to work for prevention, correction and minimization of the negative environmental impacts on human life and ecological diversity of such conflicts and natural disasters,
CONFIDENT that collective voice and collective conscience of APNEC-7 shall be duly heard, considered, taken into account and acted upon by all the stakeholders in the environment including governments of the region; |
| NOW, THEREFORE, HEREBY PROCLAIM AND NOTE THROUGH THIS KATHMANDU DECLARATION: |
1. The state of environment has not improved in the world over the last ten years despite efforts from international and regional organizations, government agencies and non-government organizations. It has, in fact, been showing signs of degradation and this fact has been seriously noted by APNEC 7 as a matter of serious concern.The worsening environment is posing major problems for mountain eco-system and the rich biodiversity of The Himalayas. This kind of adverse impact on The Himalayas needs to be contained and the mountain range needs be protected, as a gift from nature to the world.
2. There is a need to develop environmental information networking among the countries of The Asia Pacific Region. To this end, the member countries, both at the government and non-government level, need to cooperate with each other in information-sharing through the increasing use of information technology.
3. There is a need for more consolidated and institutionalized efforts from The Asia-Pacific Environment Council to act as a catalyst for promotion of the cause of environment in the Asia Pacific Region through larger cooperation among NGOs, UN Agencies, international agencies, educational institutions, and government agencies. There is need to bridge the gap between the developed and developing countries at the level of information-sharing and cooperation for environmental protection.
4. NGOs have a special role to play in the promotion of environmental education and public participation at the grassroots level. Donor agencies and concerned government authorities need to support these roles and do their best to provide them better working environments in terms of laws, policies and resources.
5. Poverty is one of the root causes and effects of the environmental degradation in many of the poor countries in The Asia Pacific Region. Hence, it is necessary to integrate poverty alleviation as an integral part of the environmental management strategy of the countries of the region.
6. Many educational institutions and universities in the region have come forward to provide various courses in environmental science and management. This is a very positive development and this trend is highly appreciated. There is also a need to increase cooperation and interaction among educational institutions and universities in the matter of environmental education.
7. Asia-Pacific is one of the most environmentally disrupt regions due to political conflict. Prolonged and unending political and armed conflict is taking a heavy toll on the region’s socio-cultural and environmental status. People’s livelihoods have been thrown into upheaval; the impact is extremely severe on children and women. It is the time for leaders in the government and non-government sector to work towards finding a peaceful solution in the overall interest of the natural environment and mankind. The need of the hour is to show political commitment to resolve the conflict on the basis of justice and compromise.
8. The Himalayas in the Hindu Kush Region provide a natural source for fresh water and potential for renewable energy. In this region there is the potential to satisfy the need for drinking water and electricity for the ever-expanding population. It is time for us to think about utilizing the fresh water from The Himalayas to meet the clean water and power demands of the people in the region.
9. Development of modern science and technology in the field of environmental management cannot be undermined. Furthermore, it cannot be ignored that indigenous communities in different parts of the region have their own time tested eco-friendly techniques of natural resource and disaster management. These methods need to be studied, promoted and integrated into the overall natural management system of any country in the region |
The Asia-Pacific Region has suffered considerably over the last two years due to oceanic and earthquake disasters. In order to prevent, mitigate and manage the environmental impacts of such natural disasters, an in-depth study on various aspects of geology and sociology needs to be undertaken.
Judiciaries in most members’ countries have played a very positive role in providing environmental justice to the people through judicial activism. This trend of judiciary involvement needs to be appreciated and encouraged.
Women are the most affected due to the degradation in environment in The Asia-Pacific Region. Women therefore, need to be empowered and involved in all the environmental and natural resource management policies and all programs need to be gender sensitive and gender focused. |
| IN WITNESS HEREOF, THE PARTICIPANTS OF THIS APNEC 7 HEREBY UNANIMOUSLY |
| We the participants in the Conference, wish to express our gratitude to the organizers of APNEC 7: Women in Environment (WE), LEADERS Nepal, Kathmandu University (KU),Asia-Pacific Environmental Council (AEC), Japan Environmental Council (JEC) and SAME International Japan. |
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