Nepal has called for stronger global action to address the impact of climate change on mountain regions, particularly the Himalayas, at the 31st UN Climate Change Conference, COP31, underway in Antalya, Türkiye.
Addressing the opening plenary, Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal urged the international community to turn its climate commitments into concrete action.
He called for a dedicated work programme on Mountain and Climate Change, saying the concerns of mountain countries need greater attention in global climate negotiations.
Referring to the devastating disaster of August 26, which he described as a Himalayan Tsunami, the Foreign Minister said more than 1,400 lives had been lost and over 5,000 people remained missing. He also highlighted Nepal’s vulnerability to climate change despite its very low contribution to global emissions.
The Minister stressed the need to keep the 1.5-degree Celsius global warming target within reach and called for mountain-specific indicators in climate adaptation and climate finance frameworks.
Through its participation at COP31, Nepal is seeking greater international cooperation, climate finance and concrete measures to protect vulnerable mountain communities and the fragile Himalayan ecosystem
