The “Third Pole Meeting” was held on 5 and 6 February 2015 in Thimpu, Bhutan organised by International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) where Ms Priyanka Dissanyake represented Global Water Partnership South Asia at the meeting. The meeting was inaugurated by the President of Iceland, two Princesses and the Prime Minister of Bhutan. Experts from thirteen countries discussed how the Himalayan Third Pole Circle as a body could facilitate combating climate change in the Himalayan Region. The importance of involving the policy makers and public in combating climate change in the Himalayan Region was also discussed at the meeting.
The Prime Minister of Bhutan highlighted ten reasons why the Himalayan Region is important, while Mr Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, President of Iceland enlightened the participants on Arctic Circle. He said the specific role of the circle was to bring all the regions together.
The Director General of ICIMOD, Dr David Molden, said that there is a misconception among the public about glaciers and ice, and its impacts on water bodies and there is a need to discuss this further. Dr Ugyen Tshwang, Secretary of the National Environment Commission addressing the meeting said that Bhutan has contributed to mitigate climate change by declaring the country to remain carbon neutral and by maintaining 60 per cent of forest cover. He further invited international organisations and governments to support the country to carry out the efforts.
Some of the key roles identified at the meeting of Himalayan Third Pole Circle are; ensure the accessibility to available scientific data, promote three-dimensional information sharing across borders and sectors, build regional trust and engage policy makers as allies rather than simply audience.