Young Manipuri climate and environmental activist Licypriya Kangujam is likely to miss a crucial upcoming 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference 2023 (UNCCC COP28) scheduled to convene from November 30 till December 12 due to lack of funds.
Licypriya is reportedly the only Manipuri to attend the event among 60,000 delegates from 190 countries expected to take part in the conference hosted by the United Nations at Expo City Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, stated a release. Her approach to the government for funding went in vain as the latter allegedly turned deaf ears, it stated.
It further expressed discontentment that the government has allegedly failed to recognize the young activist’s global efforts in fighting climate change and saving the planet from a very young age. Licypriya was earlier sponsored by the European Climate Foundation to attend the COP25 Spain, COP26 UK and COP27 Egypt from 2019, it mentioned. However, this year the ECF failed to sponsor her as funds were exhausted, it added.
It highlighted Licypriya’s immense efforts and contributions to the global climate change movement stating that she gained global recognition after her address at the UN Climate Conference (COP25) 2019 held in Madrid, Spain. She is playing a crucial role in lobbying the world leaders to adopt various agreements including creating a loss and damage funds last year during the COP27, it noted.
It mentioned Licypriya’s post on her Facebook urging help from the people to sponsor her travel expenses to attend the COP28. It can be noted that she spent all her savings on helping the displaced persons of the ongoing communal crisis in Manipur and also in educating the children victims, the release said.
PM Modi and other world leaders are expected to attend the climate summit to decide the fate of the future of the planet and especially to activate the loss and damage funds adopted last year in COP27 for the poor vulnerable countries, it added.
