South Asian lawmakers push for regional climate, energy mechanisms

Lawmakers from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka have called for stronger regional mechanisms to address climate change, disaster risks and energy security, arguing that existing agreements need to be translated into practical cooperation. The call came at a two-day parliamentary dialogue in Bhutan that ended on Sunday (6 September), where lawmakers, government officials and technical experts discussed climate, energy and environmental issues. Participants backed the idea of establishing a South Asia Climate Cooperation Council to maintain political focus on regional climate and energy matters. The proposed body would work alongside existing regional initiatives rather than duplicate their functions. The lawmakers also supported efforts to develop a regional electricity grid, saying greater cross-border energy cooperation could help countries make better use of their different renewable energy resources. Another proposal focused on disaster preparedness, including systems for sharing climate-risk information, monitoring glacial lakes and floods, and issuing early warnings across national borders. The discussions followed the devastating glacial-related disaster in Nepal, which has left at least 1,355 people dead and nearly 5,000 missing, according to the latest figures cited at the forum. The disaster has renewed concerns over the region's exposure to climate-related hazards. The South Asia Regional Parliamentary Forum for Climate, Energy and Environment, together with Bhutan's National Assembly, organised the 5-6 September dialogue in Thimphu. UNOPS Chief Climate Officer Samantha Stratton-Short and other participants stressed the need for faster cross-border information sharing and stronger early-warning arrangements. The forum is expected to explore a possible framework for the proposed climate cooperation council and pursue the regional proposals with relevant institutions. The discussions also covered renewable energy and energy transition, with participants stressing that South Asian countries need to work together more closely as climate risks and energy demands increase.