Anu Joshi Shrestha

[ICIMOD @icimod]

📰 In the News

Reuters reports on the crisis in Nepal as the official death toll rises to 151, and on how haphazard development is amplifying climate change risks in Nepal. Journalist Gopal Sharma quotes ICIMOD, and the centre's call for government and city planners to "urgently" step up investment in, and plans for, infrastructure, such as underground stormwater and sewage systems, both of the "grey", or engineered kind, and "green", or nature-based type.

Read the full report: https://t.co/jkieIVItl3

#NepalFlood #ClimateChange #UrbanFlood #Disaster #Flood @reuters @imgsharma

[ICIMOD @icimod]

Last week, Kathmandu received 1/5th of its average annual rainfall in the space of two days.

The unprecedented rain fell on soil already saturated following a monsoon that was 25% above normal.

Planet-warming emissions from fossil fuels are driving more extreme rainfall around the world: with Asia the continent that will face the greatest rainfall changes in the world.

While Nepal’s share of global emissions from the burning of fossil fuels is 0.1%, the country is the fourth most climate-vulnerable in the world. By 2030, over a third of a million people in Nepal could be affected annually by river flooding from climate change.

Full press release here: https://t.co/b4VgrPdjcn

#NepalFlood #ClimateChange #UrbanFlood #Disaster #Flood @arunbshrestha @Mandira2018

[Climate Analysis Section, DHM @ClimateDhm]

#Extreme_Precipitation_record_break_on_28th_September
25 stations of 14 districts have made the new record of precipitation on 28th September (details in image). For more info, please visit https://t.co/gXeZGz8X3r

[Anu Joshi Shrestha @AnuJoshiShresth]

Thrilled to have delivered welcome remarks at today's meeting with our esteemed awardees! 🌟 The positive responses from our management heroes about this very important courtesy meeting were heartwarming. Grateful for their time and support! 🙏✨ #Fellowship

[ICIMOD @icimod]

📄📌 PRESS RELEASE:

South Asian countries trial digital tool to streamline and strengthen biodiversity reporting

National biodiversity experts and officials from Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Cambodia have gathered in Kathmandu to explore new ways to monitor and report on the state of nature in their countries.

Read the full press release: https://t.co/klAEmxQnet

@UNEP @sacep_org

[ICIMOD @icimod]

The HKH is suffering disproportionate economic losses from climate impacts. The region needs urgent investment to build resilience and help communities.

Join us at #ClimateWeekNYC as ICIMOD Deputy Director General @izabella_koz argues for urgent action to address the Hindu Kush Himalaya's overwhelming climate finance gap.

For more information: https://t.co/oJ1ODfk0uP

#ClimateWeekNYC @ClimateGroup @FCDOGovUK

[ICIMOD @icimod]

On this International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, ICIMOD publishes the THIMPU OUTCOME. The document reflects a major stepping-up of collective ambition to tackle soaring pollution in one of the most densely populated and toxic airsheds on Earth.

Key stakeholders from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan gathered in Bhutan on 26 and 27 June and stressed the need for a regional working group of experts and scientists from government, academia, and concerned agencies to develop air quality management strategies, to assess and identify research gaps, and needs.

 The outcome emphasises the urgent need to scale up funding for clean air. Let’s Invest in #CleanAirNow #ThimpuOutcome

Read the outcome here: https://t.co/bx1vIZauY8
Read the blog here: https://t.co/rBSEYktln0

@WorldBank @WorldBankSAsia @WB_AsiaPacific @WorldBankNepal @WorldBankIndia @CleanAirFund @UKinNepal @DalbergTweet @DalbergMedia @UNEP @ADBEnvironment @ADB_HQ @USEmbassyNepal @KfW @UNOPS

[ICIMOD @icimod]

NPR1BN pledged for start-ups in Nepal in bid to incubate 10,000 new enterprises and 100,000 jobs

Last week, entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators from all over Nepal and the HKH gathered for the third edition of Startup Nation 2030 – an initiative that aims to make Nepal one of the most startup-friendly nations by 2030.

ICIMOD, in collaboration with the Government of Nepal, MoICS, IEDI, FNCCI, UGC, and PUM Netherlands, has been instrumental in nurturing Nepal’s startup ecosystem over the past three years as a Startup Nation consortium member.

This year, the Government of Nepal underscored its commitment to the sector, pledging NPR 1 billion in the 2024 budget for startups and the launch of a loan program for new enterprises of NPR 5–25 lakhs at 3% interest rate in order to support the launch 10,000 start-ups and the creation of 100,000 jobs.

This year’s conference also for the first time brought together ministers from key departments such as Finance, Industry, and Employment.

Alongside the funding, the consortium has committed to establishing 'incubation centres' to build confidence to experiment in enterprise among target cohorts, especially women and youth.

Hon. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli speaking at the event, stressed the importance of this: “We need to offer more than just loans. Women and youth are the pillars of startups, and we must encourage them while helping to prevent failures.”

At the event, ICIMOD ran a session on establishing an incubation centre in Madhesh Province under the HI-GRID project, with support from the Australian Government.

Addressing the event, Deputy Director General Izabella Koziell called for a focus on green enterprise: "This is our chance to turn Kathmandu Valley into the Silicon Valley of green growth. Let’s seize this opportunity to lead in creating a sustainable and innovative future for Nepal and beyond."

ICIMOD Rural Enterprise and Value Chain Specialist, Anu Joshi Shrestha, chaired a regional panel that brought together startup leaders from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and the Netherlands, fostering valuable exchanges on green, resilient, and inclusive entrepreneurship across the HKH region.

Click to read Deputy Director General Izabella Koziell’s full speech here: https://t.co/xHyruHdB8L

Find out more about the event here: https://t.co/KKxsayNPvv

@AnuJoshiShresth @izabella_koz @Neera_S_P @AusAmbNP #HIGRID

[Stockholm Environment Institute (Climate account) @SEIclimate]

Together, we are addressing climate risk, air pollution, and #mountain livelihoods. 🏔️ 🤝

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[Stockholm Environment Institute (Climate account) @SEIclimate]

🇸🇪 🇳🇵 We hosted the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development in Stockholm to strengthen collaboration on climate adaptation for #Nomadic communities, including yak herders in the #HKH and reindeer herders in Sweden.

🧵 1/2

[Anu Joshi Shrestha @AnuJoshiShresth]

Excited to share our journey towards making Nepal a startup-friendly nation by 2030 through the #HIGRID project, supported by the #AustralianGovernment, starting with #MadeshPradesh to create 10,000 startups and 100,000 green jobs. 🌱🚀 Watch more: https://t.co/uBOuwSrxcj

[Izabella Koziell @izabella_koz]

There’s a need for a complete reinvention of the systems that surround us and to support those leading game-changing disruption! Startup Nation 2030 is an important signal for partners and aspiring entrepreneurs that this sector is a priority for Nepal’s development.

[Anu Joshi Shrestha @AnuJoshiShresth]

ICIMOD is hosting a 3-day training for women with disabilities in incense production in partnership with PhoolParsad & Women-Can, we aim to empower these women, transforming used temple flowers into value-added products! #EmpowerWomen #IncenseProduction #HIGRID #Circulareconomy

[ICIMOD @icimod]

📢DEADLINE EXTENDED:

Could a green gold-rush help protect nature, and nature-protectors?

Almost half of all pharmaceuticals we use today were first derived from nature -including aspirin, and treatments for malaria and tuberculosis. Bioprospecting, tapping the plant-world for breakthrough applications in allopathic or herbal medicine, food and beverage industries, cosmetics, therapeutics and more, holds huge potential in the species-rich Hindu Kush Himalaya.

Done well, through a convergence of local and Indigenous knowledge, science, medicine, and chemistry, they might deliver social and economic benefits to local communities and society at large; while also defending biodiversity in the teeth of growing competition for land and resources.

ICIMOD is seeking case studies of good practice to support our work to grow green and resilient bioprospecting businesses and equitable sharing of benefits arising from any commercial use.

Details and submission: https://t.co/4hjMfhD5Is

#NaturebasedSolutions #HIREAP
@FCDOGovUK @AnuJoshiShresth @Surendr73415873 @bandanashakya12 @WaqasAbid_Econ

[ICIMOD @icimod]

📢Vacancy Announcement: Join ICIMOD as a Strategic Group Lead

We are inviting applications for the position of Strategic Group Lead in our initiative to reduce climate and environmental risks. This senior leadership role involves managing a diverse team, overseeing strategic projects, and engaging with global partners to achieve impactful results.
Starting Salary: USD 130,392 (negotiable)
https://t.co/niGw2E6zc5

#Leadership #ClimateAction #ICIMODJobs #JoinOurTeam

[Anu Joshi Shrestha @AnuJoshiShresth]

Happy to have organized the first-ever mango symposium 2024 in Nepal organized by ICIMOD together with MOALD and R&D Innovative Solutions under HIGRID initiative supported by Australian Government
https://t.co/J5b58ICxFS

[Anu Joshi Shrestha @AnuJoshiShresth]

🌟 Home-based workers are the unsung heroes of our economy! 💪🏡 They work tirelessly behind the scenes, yet their contributions often go unnoticed, uncounted, and under-remunerated. It's time to shine a light on their incredible efforts and demand the recognition they deserve!

[ICIMOD @icimod]

In Kathmandu this afternoon Director General of ICIMOD Pema Gyamtsho and his team met with SBSTA Chair Harry Vreuls on the margins of the International Experts Dialogue on Mountains, People and Climate Change.

The dialogue was timed to take place on the eve of the annual meeting in Bonn of the Climate Change Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (#SBSTA), at which for the first time there will be mandated dialogue on mountains following the initiative of mountain countries including Bhutan, Nepal, Kyrgyz Republic and Andorra during last year’s COP in Dubai.

The discussion with Vreuls focussed on the way ahead for mountains at the SBSTA and in United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change negotiations, including yoking the issues of mountain, cryosphere and sea level rise.

@UNFCCC @ICIMODDG

[ICIMOD @icimod]

HAPPENING NOW: INTERNATIONAL EXPERT DIALOGUE ON #MountainClimatePeople

Keynotes this morning from:
Right Honorable Prime Minister of Nepal
Dr Baikuntha Aryal, Chief Secretary, the Government of Nepal
H. E. Lynopo Younten Phuntsho, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, the Royal Government of Bhutan
H. E. Saber Hussain Chaudhary, Minister for Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Bangladesh
H.E. Harry Hendrik Hubert Joseph Veruls, Chair of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body on Scientific and Technological Advice
Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UNFCCC, and
Selwin Hart, Special Advisor to the Secretary-General on Climate Action, United Nations
H. E. Ms. Hanna Singer-Hamdy, UN Country Representative, Nepal
Ms. Karen Welch, USAID Mission Director
Ms. Rosa Laura, Mountain Partnership, Italy
Special Representative of the President on Mountain Issues, Kyrgyz Republic

Follow the event online: https://t.co/dqqSo7jCvD

Photo: @manjeetdhakal

[Anu Joshi Shrestha @AnuJoshiShresth]

I’m thrilled to be at the Bhutan Agrifood Trade and Investment Forum 2024, promoting bioprospecting as a nature-based solution.
The forum brought together policymakers, entrepreneurs, and investors to explore investment opportunities in Bhutan’s agri-food sector till May 19.