Jalalabad (Afghanistan): The Western countries should include Afghanistan in the efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change on the world and sufficient support be provided to Afghanistan as it has done nothing to create changes in climate changes.
This was stated by a US scholar and climate change activist, Dr. Jonathen Syles Naele while addressing as a keynote speaker at a 3-day International Conference on Climate Change organized by Nangarhar University, Jalalabad, in collaboration with the Afghanistan Ministry of Higher Education here in Jalalabad.
Dr Jonathen further said that a 43-year war was imposed on Afghanistan by other countries and now it is the responsibility of the international community to take concrete measures for rehabilitation of the people of Afghanistan. He said that the world has become a global village and Afghanistan should be included in the mainstream.
Elaborating on the worst impacts of climate change on Afghanistan, Dr Jonathan said that due to continuous drought in the region, the problems of the people have been increased manifold. He called upon the United Nations Organisation (UNO) to announce a ‘martial plan’ for the uplift of Afghanistan. He also appreciated the efforts of university professors and government officials in organizing an international conference on climate change. He called upon the expatriate Afghans to work on the advancement of Afghanistan. He also expressed the hope that very soon Afghanistan will be in the rank of developed countries as the people are very hard working and committed.
The conference was addressed by Dr Hamid Yahya Ali Al-Shejni, a professor from the United Kingdom (UK). He called upon the academia to sensitize the people of Afghanistan to climate change and devise comprehensive strategies for mitigating its effects.
Dr Habib Adil, who had come from the United Kingdom to attend the conference, said efforts are underway to connect Afghanistan with different bodies of scientists in the world who will suggest strategies for creating climate-friendly development opportunities.
Professor Dr Ghulam Mahyuddin Bhutt and Dr Nazir Pala had come from India. They were forestry experts. They in their address called upon the government officials to take steps for planting more trees and declare different areas as national parks.
The Indian professors appreciated peace and hospitality in Afghanistan. All scientists should visit Afghanistan to contribute to the development of Afghanistan. Dispelling the Western media propaganda, the Indian professor said that ground realities are quite different in Afghanistan. They said that scientists should take concrete measures to mitigate the effects of climate.
Professor Dr Mohammad Arif Khan, and Professor Dr Azim Khan, had come from Agriculture University Peshawar, KP. They in their addresses suggested the Afghan government go for hybrid crops as it ensures more yield.
Professor Dr Muhammad Mazhar Qayum from Haripur University, KPK also provided suggestions for innovative methods in encouraging new species of crops. He called upon the Afghan government to pay attention to the promotion of horticulture. He also shared some success stories of horticulture from Holland and Turkey.
Dr. Sanaullah Panezai, University of Baluchistan, Pakistan addressing this occasion asked the Afghan government to create opportunities for storing the rainwater and its utilization for agriculture purposes.
Dr Syed Inam ur Rahman, Department of Media and Communication Department, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan, speaking on the occasion suggested for involvement of media in providing awareness to the people of Afghanistan on climate change. He further said that everyone is a stack-holder in mitigating the impacts of climate change. The comity of nations should fully support Afghanistan in human-related issues like climate change, he added.
Dr Inam further said that a comprehensive social media campaign on climate change is need of the hour.
The Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs, Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, was the chief guest on the occasion. He said nothing had been done by the previous government despite the flow of huge amounts of Dollars. Blaming the previous governments for not paying necessary attention in implementing development projects in the country, he said, that previous governments just focused on the construction of those roads that facilitated the movement of the foreign forces.
Minister of Public Health for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Dr. Qalandar Ebad, during his address to the conference such conferences will play a vital role in providing solutions to the challenges faced by the people of Afghanistan.
Ebad reiterated findings from the World Health Organization, indicating that thousands of individuals succumb to the detrimental impacts of climate change annually.
Besides foreign experts, several local researchers, academicians, and scientists also attended the events. The concluding ceremony was also attended by Lutfullah Khairkhwa, Deputy Minister for Academic Affairs, Ministry of Higher Education. He on the occasion thanked the participants for attending this conference and also announced that Nangarhar University will host t