KATHMANDU: With the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change approaching, Nepal has stepped up its preparations for the global climate summit to be held from November 10 to 21 in Belém, Brazil.
The upcoming conference will focus on phasing out fossil fuels, protecting forests and biodiversity, transforming food and agricultural systems, advancing human development, and enhancing technology and capacity. Brazil, the host nation, has already proposed these as major agenda points.
Nepal is preparing to present the outcomes of the “Sagarmatha Sambaad” held in Kathmandu earlier this year, particularly the “Sagarmatha Call for Action” emphasizing the protection of the Himalayan ecosystem. The Ministry of Forests and Environment has been holding a series of meetings with government agencies, development partners, and civil society groups to finalize Nepal’s agenda for the summit.
According to Dr. Maheshwar Dhakal, chief of the Climate Change Management Division and joint secretary at the ministry, Nepal will raise key issues including climate-induced loss and damage, adaptation, mitigation, carbon finance, and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The agenda will also cover transparency frameworks, mountain ecosystems, capacity building, technology transfer, and climate justice.
Dr. Dhakal said most preparatory work has been completed, and the national position paper is being finalized after consultations with stakeholders. “Considering the current national situation, Nepal’s delegation will likely be smaller this time,” he added.
Scientific studies show that temperatures in the Himalayan region are rising 0.3°C to 0.7°C higher than the global average, resulting in erratic monsoon patterns and frequent climate-induced disasters in Nepal.
Deepak KC, climate change and resilience analyst at UNDP Nepal, said the country should prioritize the issue of loss and damage at COP30. “While developing countries like Nepal need around USD 8 billion in compensation for climate-induced losses, only USD 800 million has been pledged globally, and just half of that is accessible,” he said.
Nepal is expected to be represented at the ministerial level this year, with Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister Dr. Madan Prasad Pariyar likely to lead the delegation.
In the past, Nepal participated in major climate summits at the head-of-state level, including Copenhagen (2009), Katowice (2018), Glasgow (2021), Dubai (2023), and Baku (2024).
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