 I'd like to humbly request the Gene Guest, right-orderer and prime minister, Mr. Sushil Kodala, along with all the distinguished guest personalities seated at the dais, and all of you present here to kindly rise for the national anthem of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nicaragua. Ladies and gentlemen, Chief Guest of this opening ceremony, right-orderer and prime minister, Mr. Sushil Kodala, high-ranking officials from Nicaragua government, distinguished guests from national and international institutions and organizations, esteemed delegates from across the world, invited from national and international agencies, friends from the press, ladies and gentlemen, nice to meet you. We are at the inaugural of the 8th International Conference on Community-Based Adaptation, CPA 8, as we call it. The 8th edition of this annual conference comes to you with theme, Financing Local Adaptation, driven by the emerging need with the growing CPA committees. Ladies and gentlemen, I am Shivani Thabao on behalf of the host and organizers and privileged to extend warm welcome to this August occasion. On behalf of the Climate Change Network, NEPAL, the conference has been organized in collaboration with International Institute for Environment and Development, founded the Center for Advanced Studies and Clean Energy, NEPAL. The government of NEPAL, ladies and gentlemen, is both pleased and privileged to get this opportunity to host such a time and need-relevant event. We are pleased to be able to extend our hospitality to the 300-plus delegates from the world over. Furthermore, we believe that the time and venue are appropriate, owing to multiple reasons. Several of our delegates who in the past few days enjoyed the opportunity to visit different parts of NEPAL where local adaptation activities are implemented, will be able to better verse the reasons. To each and every of our esteemed international delegates, once again a very warm welcome to the heart of the land of Himalayas and much, much more. We wish for your pleasant and fruitful visit to our country. Beginning today, ladies and gentlemen, until the 27th of April, we shall engage in 24 various technical sessions, which we believe will craft the options to unlock finance for adapting climate change and securing finance for vulnerable communities. Ladies and gentlemen, proceeding now with the formal inauguration session, allow me the privilege to request Dr. Krishnanjana Podal, Secretary of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, to chair the session. Thank you, Dr. Podal. It is a humbling opportunity for me to extend the request to write Honourable Prime Minister, Mr. Sushil Kharwana, to grace the session as the Chief Guest. Also on behalf of the organisers, I extend sincere gratitude to the right Honourable Prime Minister for the much-valued presence. Also a very warm welcome to all indistinguished personalities seated at the dais.