Nepal pushes Himalayan agenda, climate justice at COP31 as Khanal concludes visit

Nepal has used the first phase of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) to press for greater international attention to Himalayan climate risks, climate justice and equitable access to climate finance, as Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal returned home on Saturday after leading the Nepali delegation in Antalya, Türkiye.

During his November 9-13 participation, Khanal raised the need for a separate work programme on mountains and climate change, stronger adaptation measures, grant-based climate finance and international support for disaster recovery and reconstruction.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nepal’s engagement focused on bringing the specific vulnerabilities of mountain ecosystems into mainstream global climate negotiations, alongside the need to keep global temperature rise within the 1.5-degree Celsius target.

Addressing the conference’s opening session, Khanal highlighted the human, economic and environmental impacts of recent climate-induced disasters in Nepal and called for international support for recovery and reconstruction.

He also addressed the Baku High-Level Dialogue on Adaptation on behalf of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), arguing that adaptation was a matter of climate justice for countries contributing least to global emissions but facing disproportionate impacts.

At several high-level events, he called for stronger early warning systems, scientific monitoring of glaciers, regional data sharing and cooperation among mountain countries. He also urged greater access to predictable, grant-based climate finance for adaptation and loss and damage.

At a joint high-level event organised by Nepal, Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Tajikistan, Khanal called for mountain issues to be placed at the centre of global climate action, warning that the crisis facing the Himalayas had consequences for humanity beyond national borders.

Nepal also co-hosted a high-level event on strengthening mountain resilience through adaptation finance with Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and Zoï Environment Network.

During the conference, Khanal inaugurated the Nepal Pavilion, which showcased the country’s climate ambitions, biodiversity conservation efforts and community-based adaptation initiatives.

He also held bilateral meetings with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos and Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio. Discussions covered climate-related concerns and matters of mutual interest.

The ministry said Khanal participated in the conference’s opening session, the Antalya Leaders’ Summit, six high-level and thematic events, bilateral meetings and engagements with the Nepali diaspora and international media.

Khanal returned to Nepal as COP31 entered its final phase. Agriculture, Forests and Environment Minister Geeta Chaudhary will lead the Nepali delegation during the remaining meetings and negotiations through November 20.

Nepal’s engagement at the conference will continue with a focus on mountain resilience, climate finance, loss and damage, early warning systems and international cooperation.