The international community is facing one of the biggest challenges to
human development in recorded history— the challenge of climate change.
And nowhere in the world will communities and economies be impacted as
heavily as in the Asia and the Pacific. Burgeoning coastal and urban
populations, poor environmental management, and heavy dependency on
subsistence agriculture compound existing development challenges in a
region where more than 900 million people in the region still live on
less than $1.25 a day. Asia is vulnerable. For example, the
economy-wide cost of climate change for Indonesia, the Philippines,
Thailand and Viet Nam could reach 6.7% of GDP per year by 2100. For
meeting the climate change targets by 2050, both developing and
developed countries should be involved.
During his lecture, Dr Bindu Lohani will outline recent developments
that increase our understanding of climate change drivers and impacts,
globally and on Asia. There have been several ongoing debates around
the subject of climate change. In this context, Dr Lohani will discuss
the four key issues which need to be included in the United Nations
Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009, in
particular, the role of emerging countries in Asia, to have a
meaningful post-Kyoto Protocol framework for climate change. Dr Lohani
will share his views about the role of a regional and international
institution such as the Asian Institute of Technology in helping
address the issues of climate change.
About Dr. Bindu N. Lohani :
Dr. Lohani is Vice-President (Finance and Administration) of the Asian
Development Bank (ADB) and is a member of the Bank’s Management Team.
He assumed the position in April 2007. Prior to this role, Dr. Lohani
was Director General of ADB’s Regional and Sustainable Development
Department and concurrently, ADB’s Chief Compliance Officer and Special
Advisor to the President on Clean Energy and Environment. He began his
career in ADB in 1985 in the Infrastructure Department and was
appointed as The Secretary of the Bank in 1999. Before joining the
Bank, Dr. Lohani worked with the Government of Nepal. He was also
Division Chairman at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), an
international post-graduate institute.
Dr. Lohani holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, a Master’s
degree in Environmental Engineering, and a Doctorate in Environmental
Technology and Management. He has also been awarded Doctorate of
University (Honors) by the Griffith University, Australia and
University Medal and Doctorate (Honors) by the Angeles University
Foundation (AUF), Philippines.
Dr. Lohani is an elected member of the National Academy of Engineering
(NAE), a Diplomate of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers
(awarded for excellence in the practice of environmental engineering),
and elected Fellow of American Academy for Advancement of Science
(AAAS) of the United States – the highest professional distinction
accorded to an engineer – for his work on economic cum environmental
approach to sustainable development. He has been conferred various
awards, medals and listed in several “Who’s Who in the World”. Dr.
Lohani has authored more than 200 publications, including eight
books.