President of Iceland Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson said in a speech at the Himalaya-Third Pole Circle in Thimphu, Bhutan, yesterday that it is important to strengthen cooperation on research and data gathering on climate change research between the countries in the Himalayan region as well as between Himalayan region countries and those in the Arctic.
Ólafur Ragnar said that much could be learnt from each other as well as from successful Arctic cooperation.
The rapid melting of glaciers in the Himalayas has potentially devastating consequences for many nations in Asia.
Scientists, other experts and officials from India, China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Bhutan as well as various experts from Europe and the United States are attending the meeting, which ends today.
Ólafur Ragnar also met with Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay.
Iceland’s president has put much emphasis on climate change during his years in office. First assuming office in 1996, he is currently serving his fifth term.
