Miscellaneous
2nd phase of activities launched under SDIP2
Australian Ambassador Glenn White on Tuesday announced the launch of the second phase of activities in the Himalayan river basins under the Sustainable Development Investment Portfolio (SDIP2).Australian Ambassador Glenn White on Tuesday announced the launch of the second phase of activities in the Himalayan river basins under the Sustainable Development Investment Portfolio (SDIP2).
The SDIP2 is part of Australian government’s regional development programme to improve integrated management of water, energy and food in parts of Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh to address climate risk and the interests of women and girls.
Against the backdrop of water scarcity and mounting climate change impacts, a heavy dependence on the Himalayan water resources for agriculture and livelihoods, and the growing and competing demands for this scarce resource from industry, population growth and urbanisation, the Australian government has committed $42 million to the SDIP2 (2016-2020), according to the Embassy of Australia in Kathmandu. This brings Australia’s total SDIP commitment across the region to over $90m since 2012.
“In response to the government of Nepal and other bilateral partners in South Asia, Australia will continue to support the region where it is uniquely placed to contribute,” said Ambassador White after announcing the launch of the programme on Tuesday.
SDIP initiatives focus on the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra river basins. During its second phase, SDIP2 aims to strengthen practices for regional cooperation, generate and share new knowledge and improve the regional enabling environment for more integrated and shared management of water, energy and food resources.