Licypriya highlights crisis to world leaders
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 06 2023:
12 years old climate justice activist and Special Envoy of East Timor, Licypriya Kangujam briefed world leaders on Manipur crisis and other issues at the United Nations Climate Conference 2023 (COP28) in Dubai.
The Meities never committed any wrongdoings to any community and were not the cause of the ongoing Manipur crisis.
The crisis was born after indigenous Meiteis were threatened and targeted with their homes burnt on May 3, she said in the Faith Session of the COP28, said a statement issued to the media today.
The conflict is not religious as is being shown, she said.
Licypriya also said there is a real climate emergency in Manipur due to massive deforestation in the hills.
At the climate conference, she urged the rich Nations to fund billions to pay vulnerable communities and Nations.
She met several world leaders and briefed them about issues surrounding Manipur.
She met with Italy Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, USA Vice President Kamala Harris, Egypt President El Sisi, East Timor President Jose Rammos Horta, Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahr, UAE President Mohamed Bin Zayed, Mongolia President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, Colombian President Gutavo Petro, France President Emmanuel Macron, UK's King Charles 3, Vatican head Pope Francis and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also attended the event.
A total of 187 world leaders and over 97,000 participants are attending the UN Climate Conference this year in Dubai which kicked off on November 30.The conference will continue till December 12 .
Phasing out fossil fuels and Loss and Damage Funds occupy the centre stage in this year's COP28, and Licypriya is attending in the capacity of Special Climate Envoy of Timor Leste.
On several issues facing Manipur, she said people living in the valley do not have sufficient drinking water to buy and are facing droughts as a result of massive deforestation in the hills.
"Most of our crops are washed away by severe flash floods every year.
75% of the rivers and lakes are now dry and dead.
The lush green mountains are becoming desert now.
Girls and children are out of school to fetch water from a very long distance.
There is a real climate emergency in Manipur," she said.
On the very first day of the conference, all the member States agreed to ope-rationalized the Loss and Damage Fund.
Italy, France and UAE pledged 100 millions dollars each while the USA pledged 17.5 million dollars, which was widely criticised by civil society groups and activists.
Licypriya said the adoption of the Loss and Damage Fund in COP28 is a historic one and is a good start, but not enough.
"What we want is not millions, but tens of billions and this shouldn't be in the form of loan or debt trap to the developing Nations.
Governments must work together to phase out coal, oil and gas, the top causes of the climate crisis today," she said.
Due to climate change, she said vulnerable small island Nations experience multiple impacts including flood, drought, landslide, and rise in sea level.
These impacts lead to food insecurity, water shortage, destruction of infrastructure, loss of human life, displacement.
The small island Nations have limited financial and technological capacity to quickly recover and compensate for the losses and damages.
"Our beautiful islands are now submerging into the sea.
It's not just threatening our community, it's threatening our culture and identity too," she said.
Licypriya is leading several protests during the COP28 as one of the key voices for the global south.
She will be speaking in several sessions before the end of COP28 .