A Summit and Training Program gathering Russian regions to discuss climate change took place in Yakutsk, organized jointly by the UNDP and the Northern Forum. It was held concurrently with the 9th International Symposium on Cold Region Development (ISCORD), which focused on climate change adaptations.

Goals

UNDP and UNEP have developed, with eight associations of Regions, including the Northern Forum, a global program to promote low carbon neutral and climate change resilient territories. This Program is being carried out within the context of UNDP’s 2008 – 2011 Climate Change Strategy.  

Objectives

The Summit focused on issues facing northern or Arctic regions and the current and anticipated impacts on regions from climate change. Northern Regions already feel the impacts and are already addressing issues such as damage to infrastructure, increased coastal erosion and flooding of villages. Permafrost melting is threatening buildings and transportation infrastructure. It is critical to ensure all regions receive the necessary training and develop partnerships to address climate change.

The Summit was organized by FOGAR (Forum of Global Associations of Regions), of which the Northern Forum is a founding member. Other organisers included the CPMR and Senegal. Over 12 years have passed since the commitment made at the World Food Summit to reduce by half the number of undernourished people by 2015. Progress in this area is disappointing and the world food situation is now critical. The Regions are in effect able to act quickly to give coherence to the multitude of actions and projects that exist at different levels in this field by targeting coordinated action that responds to immediate needs and triggers the implementation of long-term solutions.

Dakar Declaration

Dakar Summary