Speakers and civil society representatives have stressed the importance of ensuring active civil society participation in national policymaking instead of unilateral government decisions. They said such partnership is essential for sustainable development and establishing people's rights.
Call for Stronger Partnership
The speakers believe that the public-private partnership must be further strengthened to establish people's fundamental rights. They expressed the view that incorporating civil society opinions and observations into policymaking would make the process more acceptable and effective, rather than relying solely on state initiatives.Demand for Reforming Global Climate Finance Structure
The issue of climate justice received significant attention during the discussions. Civil society representatives stated that fundamental changes are required in the global climate finance architecture to address the adverse impacts of climate change. They alleged that developed countries are not adequately providing their pledged funding, which is hampering climate adaptation efforts in developing nations.Inclusive Approach to Policymaking
Analysts say that relying solely on either the government or civil society leaves gaps in policy implementation. An inclusive policymaking process should combine the opinions of the government, civil society, experts, and the general public. This would make policies more people-centric and realistic, they added.The speakers further noted that a culture of transparency and accountability must be fostered to ensure civil society participation. They also recommended creating effective channels for gathering public opinion at the policymaking stage.