KATHMANDU: Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has returned home after participating in a high-level Pre-COP Leaders’ event on climate change in Fiji and Tuvalu and completing an official visit to Australia.
Speaking to reporters at Tribhuvan International Airport today, Khanal said Australia had announced a grant of 15 million Australian dollars for post-flood reconstruction.
With the latest announcement, Australia’s total assistance for flood disaster response has reached 26 million Australian dollars, he said.
Addressing the Pre-COP Leaders’ Plenary, Khanal emphasised the need for cooperation between countries stretching from the mountains to the sea, noting that glacier melting and rising sea levels are interconnected aspects of the climate crisis.
Presenting Nepal’s priorities for COP31, he called for a firm commitment to limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, grant-based climate adaptation finance without adding to countries’ debt burdens, effective mobilisation of the Loss and Damage Fund, and stronger partnerships under the theme of “Everest to the Sea”.
COP31 is scheduled to be held in Antalya, Türkiye, in November. During bilateral talks with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, discussions focused on climate cooperation, modernising early warning systems, developing climate-resilient infrastructure and expanding technical partnerships.
Khanal also met New South Wales Premier Chris Minns, with discussions focusing on sharing experiences in flood and wildfire management, as well as post-disaster reconstruction.
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