UNFCCC COP18- The Doha Conference

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties 18 (UNFCCC COP18/CMP8) also called ‘Doha Conference’ held in Doha, Qatar, from 26^th Nov-7^th Dec, 2012. A large number of people around the world has participated in this crucial climate negotiations, including government officials, civil society representatives, researchers, scientists and youth to share, discuss the climate change issues, fate of Kyoto protocol, sustainable development goals and post 2015 agenda and to make sure their voices are being heard and considered while devising policies and decisions.

The Spider, in the middle of QNCC. (made of bronze, stainless steel and marble) 

Being ICIMOD Youth Ambassador for COP18 and Asia Pacific Youth Task Force on Rio+20 (APYTF) Coordinator this was a first opportunity to attend UNFCCC conference of parties and experience the process of international negotiations on key environmental issues like climate change, Kyoto protocol, Green Economy etc. While excited for new experience, I completed my preparation before leaving for Doha. In this connection one of the most important event (which was technically and financially supported by ICIMOD) was to organize National Youth on Green Solutions in Pakistan, with the aim to provide local platform to the Pakistani youth for interaction with eminent professional and other youth to discuss the issues of sustainability in Pakistan and their green solutions, and develop their leadership skills. At the end of youth forum two outcome were developed by the participants of youth forum i.e. ‘Youth Appeal for COP18’, and ‘draft Post 2015 Agenda’. APYTF is also developed ‘My little COP Booklet- Urdu Translation’ through a local organization. 

A number of side events/ sessions were organized by governments, non-governmental organizations, regional organizations and major stakeholders, civil society etc at the Qatar National Convocation Center.

Qatar National Convention Center, front view.

QNCC inside view.

However, some side events were organized in different hotels (like Crown Plaza, Intercontinental Hotel) and Doha Exhibition Centre. At the Doha Exhibition Centre (DEC) sustainability expo was also organized by the government, industry and NGO. All such places were far away and delegates were using special bus service provided by the Qatari Government.

Sustainability Expo, DEC.

Doha Exhibition Center.

I participated and attended some of the side events of my interest like ‘Gender and Climate: Moving beyond the Rhetoric’, ‘Green economy and global climate change risks: Challenges and Opportunities’, ‘Pacific Islands and Climate Change - Our Century's Challenge, Our Pacific Res’, ‘Children in a Changing Climate’ etc, and ‘World Climate Summit’, ‘Doha Sustainability Expo,’ and the ‘youth address by HE Abdullah bin Hammad Al Attayah (president UNFCCC COP18) and Ms Christiana Figueres (UNFCCC Executive Secretary)’, supported the ‘Global Gender and Climate Alliance’ and was interviewed by ‘Global Women Scholars Network’.

Gender and Climate: Side event, QNCC.

 HE Abdullah bin Hammad Al Attayah addressing youth, QNCC.

World Climate Summit, Ritz Carlton.

‘Asian Youth Climate Movement 1st Strategy Meeting’ was organized by the Asian Youth, on November 30th, where a large number of Asian youth (from Pakistan, Nepal, Singapore, China, Korea, India, and Cambodia) participated and shared activities and plans of their groups and organizations. In the Asian Youth Climate Movement 1st Strategy Meeting the agenda and work plan for future activities was discussed. Each of the participants shared their group/organization details, and I presented the APYTF purpose and activities/ initiatives taken so far. 

Group photo after Asian Youth Climate Movement 1st Strategy Meeting.

On 1^st December successfully organized Global Youth Forum on Mountain Issues and Green Solutions- from Rio de jenario to Doha, to provide an opportunity for global youth to discuss global issues and their concerns regarding UNFCCC COP18 with a focus on mountain youth issues and green economy, and develop and share ‘Global Youth Appeal for COP18 delegates’. More then twenty youth delegates from Asia, Pacific, Latin America and Africa participated in the global youth forum, and shared their activities and challenges faced by the youth, youth appeal and declaration. I also shared ‘Youth Appeal for COP18’ (developed during National Youth Forum on Green Solutions in Pakistan). At the end of Global Youth Forum participants developed ‘Global Youth Appeal for COP18’ which was further shared during knowledge café session on Mountain Day 2 on 3^rd December.

Mountain Day2, aimed ‘to share scientific and practical information and knowledge to advocate mountain agenda to the UNFCCC negotiators,’ organized by ICIMOD and partner organizations. In the knowledge café session the participants developed ‘Youth Appeal’ based on Global Youth Appeal for COP18, Asia Pacific Graduate Youth Forum declaration and knowledge café session. In the Ministerial/policy makers’ roundtable panel discussion I was privileged to present the ‘Youth Appeal’.

For sustainable mountain development it is vital that Himalayan countries show serious commitment and make it a priority. However, complete support by Himalayan countries was lacking in UNFCCC COP18 (e.g. the government delegates from most of Himalayan countries did not participate in the Mountain Day2 events, only the high level delegates from Nepal and Bhutan were present along with other then Himalayan countries officials).

Mountain Day 2, Intercontinental Hotel.

Ministerial/policy makers’ roundtable panel discussion. ICH.

                       

During my one week stay at Doha, I tried to attend maximum sessions to gain knowledge, network with youth and professionals, and learn the things shaping Climate Talks. However, in the second week I followed the conference virtually. First week was more like (trying to) mobilize the negotiators’/decision makers and sharing facts and figures, major decisions were taken in the second week. 

UNFCCC COP18/CMP8 was a unique opportunity for networking and exposure. Major learning was how the international decisions are taking place and what are the most important things that can change the negotiation direction - it is the political will and strong voice form major stakeholders that makes a difference. Most of the side events were organized by the African countries.

For first time in Climate Talks Arab youth took a lead by taking various measures to get attention of world leaders towards climate change issues, e.g. they organized climate march (first ever demonstration in Qatar) and convened youth voice that beside having large oil reserves they do care for environment and demand for use of renewable energy sources. This demonstration has sparked new hope among worldwide youth groups and organizations to speak louder and raise your concerns if your government and world leaders are not ready to take your concerns seriously. 

After attending Doha conference I realized that as the international negotiations are moving with a very slow pace and their decisions are certainly affecting the youth, therefore, Himalayan youth needs to be organized and well informed and being one of the important stakeholders develop common voice, connect with the youth from other regions and create a national, regional and global network on permanent basis rather then just becoming active during such events. Although there are few active youth networks at regional and global level but they need to be more strongly connected and coordinated, so can take much organized initiatives and voice their concerns to decision makers in effective way in the international negotiations.