KATHMANDU: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Dr. Madan Prasad Pariyar, is representing Nepal at the Thirtieth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, which runs from November 10–21, 2025.
Addressing the Ministerial Segment on Sunday, Minister Pariyar highlighted Nepal’s vulnerability to climate change, including retreating glaciers, severe droughts, unseasonal floods, and impacts on agriculture. He detailed Nepal’s ambitious NDC 3.0, aimed at achieving zero emissions by 2045, and emphasized that the country’s forest cover now exceeds 46 percent.
Minister Pariyar urged developed nations to fulfill prior climate finance commitments and called for all countries to submit ambitious NDCs, respect treaty obligations, and heed the ICJ Advisory Opinion on climate justice. He stressed the need for a dedicated mountain agenda within the UNFCCC process, referencing the Sagarmatha Sambaad held in Kathmandu earlier this year.
In addition to his plenary address, Dr. Pariyar participated in key side events and bilateral discussions. He attended the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, advocating for Nepal’s transition to clean energy, including greater adoption of electric vehicles and appliances. He also joined the Ministerial Meeting of LDCs to support Timor-Leste’s incoming presidency and engaged with the International Big Cat Alliance to advance biodiversity and climate protection initiatives.
Bilateral engagements included a discussion with Ibrahim Cheikh Diong, Executive Director of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, exploring avenues for Nepal to access climate financing for national projects. Minister Pariyar is also scheduled to meet India’s Environment Minister, Bhupender Yadav, on the sidelines of COP30.
Nepal hosted a side event titled “Sagarmatha to Belém: Advancing Climate Action,” bringing together ministers and senior officials from mountainous countries to review progress since the Sagarmatha Call for Action and advance the Himalayan agenda in UNFCCC processes.
The Ministry of Forests highlighted Nepal’s focus at COP30 on integrating mountain-related concerns into global climate frameworks. The country continues to face extreme climate impacts, with over 300 fatalities and billions in economic losses this year alone due to floods, landslides, droughts, glacial lake outburst floods, and forest fires.
Minister Pariyar arrived in Belém on November 15 with a delegation of senior officials and was welcomed by Nepal’s Ambassador to Brazil, Nirmal Raj Kafle. He is scheduled to return to Nepal on November 19.
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