Hamirpur/Arusha, Tanzania, October 9:
Former Union Minister and Hamirpur Member of Parliament Anurag Singh Thakur presented India’s perspective during the discussion on climate-induced disasters and resilience-building at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Arusha, Tanzania. The discussion centred on an emergency resolution introduced by Nepal Parliament Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal, calling for immediate parliamentary action to address climate-induced disasters in Himalayan and other vulnerable regions.
Thakur highlighted that climate change has emerged as a serious global challenge, with extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, food and water insecurity, and rising health risks disproportionately affecting developing countries and vulnerable communities. He emphasised that climate adaptation is not merely an environmental priority but a development necessity for countries like India.
Underlining the importance of international cooperation, Thakur asserted that climate finance is an obligation of developed countries under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, not an act of charity or aid. He stated that honouring these commitments is essential to maintaining trust in multilateral institutions and enabling developing countries to pursue ambitious climate action alongside their sustainable development goals.
Referring to the assessment of the Global Commission on Adaptation, Thakur noted that investments of approximately $1.8 trillion in adaptation measures could generate benefits worth nearly $7.1 trillion. He stressed the importance of investing in early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, agriculture, and water resource management to reduce disaster risks and strengthen community resilience.
Drawing on his experience as a fifth-term Member of Parliament from Himachal Pradesh, Thakur highlighted the growing vulnerability of Himalayan regions, which face recurring natural disasters and climate-related challenges. He explained that India has adopted an integrated approach combining climate change mitigation, adaptation, and disaster risk reduction through the National Action Plan on Climate Change and its nine national missions, supported by State Action Plans on Climate Change. These initiatives aim to incorporate climate considerations into development planning at both national and state levels.
Thakur also emphasised the responsibility of parliamentarians to advance climate resilience through legislative oversight, government accountability, and transparent reporting. He called for stronger implementation of nationally determined contributions (NDCs), in accordance with national circumstances, and urged parliamentary institutions to ensure governments remain accountable for their climate commitments.
Concluding his address, Thakur called for sustained international cooperation, stronger climate commitments, effective disaster preparedness, and adequate financial support for vulnerable regions to build a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable future for present and coming generations.
