Foreign Minister Khanal meets UN Secretary-General Guterres at COP31

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal met United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, on Thursday, with discussions focusing on climate-induced disasters, Nepal’s flood recovery and global climate finance.

During the meeting, Khanal thanked Guterres for expressing sympathy and solidarity with Nepal following the recent Bhotekoshi floods.

He also commended the UN chief’s contributions to multilateralism, global peace, human dignity and sustainable development.

Guterres, in turn, acknowledged Nepal’s contribution to international peace and stability through its role as one of the major troop- and police-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions.

The two sides also exchanged views on Nepal’s recovery and reconstruction efforts, the need for reforms in global governance, multi-hazard early warning systems, increased climate finance and broader climate action.

They discussed regional and global issues, including ways to strengthen international cooperation and multilateral efforts to address climate change.