Aslam delivers Keynote Address Regional Conference on Policy Responses to Climate Induced Migration

Minister Aslam delivers keynote address at the Regional Conference on Policy Responses to Climate Induced Migration in Asia and the Pacific.

Environment Minister Aslam in his keynote address at the conference on climate induced migration highlights strong economic development and good governance as key to mitigation against impacts of climate change in most vulnerable countries such as the Maldives.

Looking at the critical category of nations impacted by climate change, Minister said that the Maldives, Kiritbati, Tuvalu and Marshal Islands share very similar characteristic as such much of their land is just a meter above the sea level, have high population densities and very small land to coastline ratio and all of these contributing to the vulnerability to sea level rise and impacts of climate change. The other critical factors being economic development and governance Minister said that due to the little control we have over the natural factors of vulnerability it is only economic development and good governance that will ultimately dictate our ability to face impacts of climate change and to mitigate against those effects.

Minister Aslam also spoke of the challenges associated with both intra country and international migrations in relation to social, economic and environmental aspects of such movements.

Highlighting most immediate challenges faced to the Maldivian community, Minister talked about the water shortages, severe land erosion and changes to agricultural patterns as issues needing immediate mitigation measures.

The two day (15-16 September 2011) Regional Conference on Policy Responses to Climate Induced Migration in Asia and the Pacific is organised by the ADB to share its initial policy recommendations to address migration associated with environmental changes.

The conference, taking place at ADB’s Manila headquarters has brought together leading experts on environmental displacement, policies on migrants and refugees and climate adaptation. Representatives of governments, intergovernmental organisations, NGOs, the private sector and academe are attending the conference.

Asia pacific home to 4 billion people, 60 percent of global population and in 2010 alone more than 30 million people in the region were displaced by environmental disasters such as floods and storms.

The conference will deliberate on issues of Policy direction, framing the issue in the development agenda, strengthening adaptation through migration, improving the knowledge base, developing research capacities, international cooperation and and funding solution among other important topics related to climate induced migration.