Regional conference on inclusive development and climate justice in South Asia
The theme of the conference is inclusive development and climate justice in South Asia. The two sub-themes, inclusive development and climate justice, are intimately related. Adverse climate change impacts fall disproportionably harshly on the socially excluded, disadvantaged people. Social inclusion can and must be designed and pursued not only from socio-economic points of view but, at the same time, also from environmental point of view, and in an integrated fashion. It is argued that while each nation must address the issues nationally, regional cooperation will be of immense help for a better future of individual countries as well as regionally. Let me deal with the sub-themes in turn before talking about regional cooperation.