On Jan. 9, Maria Otero, Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs &
Democracy, will bring together an expert panel to discuss the impacts of
Himalayan glacier melt and identify important opportunities for
mitigation, adaptation, and regional cooperation. The proceedings will
open with a screening of the documentary “Revealed: Himalayan Meltdown,”
co-produced by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),
Arrowhead Films, & Discovery Channel Asia.
A panel discussion will follow with Dr. Kerri-Ann Jones, U.S. Assistant
Secretary of State for Oceans & International Environmental & Scientific
Affairs (Moderator); Geoffrey R. Pyatt, Principal Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State for South & Central Asian Affairs; Dr. Ajay Chhibber,
United Nations Assistant Secretary General and UNDP Regional Director
for Asia & the Pacific; and Dr. Alton Byers, Director of Science &
Exploration, the Mountain Institute.
The melting of glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau and across the Himalayan
mountain range is among the greatest environmental security threats
facing Asia today, affecting communities across the Tibetan Plateau,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and China. Unprecedented variability
of water flow is altering agricultural growing seasons, regional food
security, livelihoods, and culture, without regard to national
boundaries. The film examines how the shrinking Himalayan glaciers and
rising sea levels are affecting people across Asia and compares
strategies developed and implemented by different countries. The Forum
will address the multitude of approaches under development as well as
the needs for regional cooperation and information-sharing.
