KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has urged global action on the mountainous climate crisis at COP28 Dubai, stressing urgency in his keynote address on Saturday.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, delivered a keynote address at a high-level roundtable titled “Himalayan: Who will save us from the climate crisis?”

In his speech ‘Himalayan: Who will save us from the climate crisis?’, PM Dahal emphasized the urgent need to address the pressing climate crisis faced by mountainous countries and their populations.

PM Dahal underscored the dire consequences of climate change in mountainous regions, citing the alarming findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). He highlighted the disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities, stressing the need for immediate action to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Addressing the global community, PM Dahal urged collective efforts to safeguard mountain ecosystems and the people living in these regions. He proposed the initiation of a Dialogue on Mountain and Climate Change to address the challenges faced by mountainous communities and find viable solutions.

Highlighting the recent visit of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Nepal to witness firsthand the impacts of climate change, PM Dahal appealed for international cooperation to protect mountains, advocating for a sustainable future for mountain ecosystems and inhabitants.

The event aimed to garner collaboration and solidarity to combat the shared challenges posed by climate change in mountainous areas. PM Dahal concluded by urging parties and international communities to fulfill commitments, emphasizing the need for increased adaptation finance, meeting climate finance obligations, and maintaining the 1.5-degree target.

He closed by expressing gratitude to attendees and development allies for their support in developing innovative solutions to preserve the vital global services offered by mountainous regions.

Full text of PM’ Dahal’s address 

Good morning and Namaste.

1. At the outset, I would like to begin by extending a warm welcome to you all this morning as the host of this event organized by Nepal.
2. It is a privilege to preside over this crucial session amidst the galaxy of the audiences gathered here on the urgent matter of climate crisis faced by mountainous countries and people.
3. I acknowledge the gracious presence of the  Prime Minister of Andorra   and Secretary-General of the United Nations, and colleagues from the various mountainous countries particularly the Kyrgyz Republic, Bhutan, Slovenia, Montenegro, and similarly, colleagues from UNDP, FAO, Climate Analytics 
4. I wish to convey my profound gratitude to the distinguished dignitaries who demonstrated unwavering concern for the well-being of mountain communities, and protection of  its ecosystems 
5. We assembled here amidst multiple challenges and commitments to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. 
6. The escalating ramifications of climate change in mountains and the cryosphere are perilous to both humankind and ecosystems. According to the latest report by the IPCC, human-induced global warming has triggered unprecedented climate chaos. 
7. This report clearly highlighted that the mortality rate in regions with a low degree of vulnerability to cyclones, floods, and droughts is fifteen times that of areas with a high degree of vulnerability. This is simply unacceptable. 
8. While mountains matter for 

           – Identity and dignity 

           – Ecological and environmental integrity, and  

           – Humanity,   

9. Nepal hosts the highest place in the world, Mount Everest and is facing the crisis posed by climate change, more and more than others.
10. Yes, it is true that at present, climate change impacts irrespective of color, castes, and social wellbeing of the people, and also the economic condition of the countries, it affects disproportionately.
11. I appreciate, and thanks to the United Nations Secretary General Mr. Antonio Guterres for your recent visit to Nepal, collecting firsthand information of climate change impacts from the local communities who are facing the climate crisis,
12. Therefore, I want to appeal to all international communities as a prime minister of Nepal ‘save our mountains to save ourselves, 
13. I strongly recommend the necessity of initiating a Dialogue on Mountain and Climate change to realize the grief of the mountainous communities, find possible solutions, and bring them out of trouble. 
14. We world leaders must walk together in safeguarding a sustainable future for mountains, mountain ecosystems and mountain people.
15. Today’s event aims to protect and promote the mountains, mountain civilization, mountain ecosystems, and inhabitants of mountains and seeks to garner collaboration and solidarity to tackle the common challenges posed by climate change in the mountains. 
16. Together, we can reach far and accomplish more in our journey of climate justice. It is with absolute confidence that Nepal has hosted this event to pave the way for advanced solutions for the mountains and people living there.  Once again, I am delighted to have you all attend this event and eagerly anticipate a constructive dialogue for our discussion.

 Excellences, 

16. At this platform I would like to recall the statement of the Secretary-General of the United Nations that he delivered yesterday in the Opening Ceremony of the Climate Summit after visiting Mountains in Nepal and Antarctica; “These two spots are far in distance but facing the same crisis”. 

Concluding remarks

I appreciate each one of you for your contributions and encouraging participation.

I am encouraged by the lively interaction, intellectual dialogues and profound knowledge and understanding of today’s thematic discussion. I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the commitment and dedication that has successfully completed this occasion.

Nepal has consistently advocated for mountain issues and concerns in meetings of the CoPs and other international forums. Nepal has been engaging with mountain alliances and initiatives at the international and regional levels, including the Mountain Partnership, the Group of Friends of Mountainous Countries, ICIMOD, UNDP and the regional mountain networks.

 I have strongly highlighted the repercussions of climate change in mountainous regions and least-developed countries in all forums including the 78th UNGA and the Climate Ambition Summit. Nepal will champion the agenda in a national capacity as well as the chair of the Group of LDCs.

 It is critical for mountain countries to work in solidarity and unity to ensure that the mountain agenda is incorporated into all themes of UNFCCC negotiations. I see a high potential to incorporate the mountain agenda into the COP process this year.

We must not forget the significance of synergistic collaborations with the LDC Group, G-77, China, and other climate negotiation groups of the UNFCCC.  

 Likewise, we must strive to advocate for the aspirations and interests of mountainous regions and their populations, acknowledging the role of all such as parliamentarians, civil society organizations, the corporate sector, youths, think tanks, entrepreneurs, indigenous peoples, local communities, women, students, and all concerned in this journey. 

Finally, I urge all parties and international communities to fulfill your commitments and effectively implement the climate actions, that adaptation finance should be doubled by 2025, and that half of climate finance be allocated immediately to adaptation efforts.

 I emphasize the criticality of meeting the $100 billion climate finance obligation, reinstating the Green Climate Fund, and implementing the loss and damage fund in a manner that is easy to understand and implement for the LDCs.

I underline that the GST at this COP28 must serve as a pivotal moment to maintain the 1.5-degree target and establish a strong accountability system to tackle climate change.

 As time is rapidly running out to save our mountains and the people of the mountains, it is crucial to act fast to ensure a sustainable and livable future for both- mountains and people. I appeal to the Member States of CoP to integrate the mountain agenda throughout the negotiation process and all substantial discussions, and resolutions in the CoP frameworks and beyond. 

 In conclusion, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for your valuable presence and extend our sincere thanks to all those in attendance, including the countries of the mountain partnership and our development allies, for their cooperation, benevolence, and support. 

 We are extremely appreciative of your sustained dedication and solidarity. I am indebted to you all.  On behalf of the government and people of Nepal, I extend my sincere appreciation for your efforts to develop sustainable, inclusive, and innovative solutions to preserve the invaluable global services that our magnificent mountains offer to the world. 

 With this, this session comes to an end. Thank you very much each of you for your presence and contributions.