Expert Meeting on Climate Change

Expert Group Meeting on Identifying Impacts of  Climate Change on Coastal Resources in SAARC Countries

The five SAARC nations are very sensitive to adverse effects on the coastal environment. Coastal zone is an essential part of the life support system for the region. The management of coastal resources for their sustainable use has become a critically important issue for the SAARC region.

The SAARC region has one of the most extensive mangrove areas, and the world's least disturbed coral reefs are found here as well. The resources and the services provided by the coastal systems are directly linked to millions of lives in the region, and is a decisive factor in the economic and social development of the people in the region, including non-coastal states. These resources therefore play a very direct and significant role in poverty alleviation. The coastal systems like mangroves, coral reefs, salt marshes, estuaries etc, have a strong role in the environmental defense against climate-related events.

However, these coastal ecosystems are subjected to increasing exploitation and stress, and furthermore, they are under increasing stress from impacts of climate changes such as warming, increased storminess and sea level rise. Climate change therefore can be considered as a major threat and a challenge facing all Member States.

One of the major concerns for the SAARC Coastal Zone Management Centre is the impact of these changes on the limited and already stressed coastal resources of the Member States, which has implications for both coastal and non-coastal States. It is therefore proposed to conduct an Expert group meeting to consider this aspect and plan a way forward, to address the issues and concern in relation to the coastal resources.

 The Expert Group is intended to deliberate on expert papers prepared on different areas of concern such as impacts of climate change on ecosystems (mangroves, coral reefs, sea grasses, salt marshes etc.), coastal and marine resources-related issues such as fisheries, aquaculture coastal erosion, and groundwater. Changes in the upstream systems and processes such as snow-melt, river discharge, etc. will also be considered.

Experts are therefore requested to prepare an abstract in the areas of expertise they are working in and forward to the SAARC Coastal Zone Management Centre for consideration. Full papers and presentation will be requested after due consideration by the SCZMC.

Experts are requested to submit their abstracts latest by end of July, where possible.