Khanal calls for regional cooperation to address climate risks in Hindu Kush Himalaya

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has called for stronger regional cooperation to address shared climate challenges and reduce disaster risks in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region.

Addressing a side event at the Nepal Pavilion during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, Khanal said climate-related disasters transcend national boundaries and require coordinated regional and global responses.

Speaking at a session titled Regional Cooperation Mechanism for the Hindu Kush Himalaya: Lessons from Transboundary Climate Disasters, Khanal stressed the need to strengthen regional mechanisms for climate risk reduction and disaster resilience.

He called for greater policy coordination and cooperation in climate mitigation and adaptation, technology transfer, knowledge sharing and the scaling up of successful practices.

Khanal also emphasised stronger multi-stakeholder partnerships to protect ecosystems and serve the collective interests of people across the region.

The event brought together policymakers, regional experts, climate advocates and other stakeholders attending COP31.