ANTALYA: Nepal expects the final decision of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP-31) to address the growing climate risks facing mountain regions, the effects of rising temperatures, climate finance and adaptation measures.
Speaking at a press conference organised by the Government of Nepal at the Nepal Pavilion in Antalya, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said that although efforts to include mountain-related issues as a separate item on the formal COP-31 agenda had not succeeded, an understanding had been reached to continue discussions on these concerns.
Nepal and Bhutan had jointly proposed the inclusion of a dedicated mountain agenda at the conference. However, the proposal was not adopted as a separate agenda item. Khanal said Nepal was continuing efforts to address the proposed issues through existing negotiation processes and other conference mechanisms.
He said discussions with Türkiye, the current COP presidency, and Australia, which will co-chair the upcoming negotiation process, had produced a positive understanding on keeping mountain-related concerns on the agenda for continued discussions.
“Considering the circumstances that brought us here, we have made every effort to highlight our concerns on the international platform. Although these issues have not been included in the formal agenda, we hope to advance discussions and ensure that they are reflected in the final decision in some form,” he said.
Khanal also drew international attention to the devastating floods and landslides that have affected Nepal’s mountainous regions since August 26, causing significant loss of life and property. He presented these disasters as examples of the growing climate vulnerabilities facing mountain communities.
The minister said Nepal had prioritised three key areas: scientific research and knowledge generation on the effects of a 1.5-degree Celsius rise in temperatures in mountain regions; the inclusion of a dedicated action plan and mountain-specific indicators in climate finance frameworks to support mountain communities; and the establishment of a dedicated dialogue process focusing on mountain-related issues.
Rising temperatures increase risks across the Himalayan region
Khanal said rising temperatures in the Himalayan region were increasing risks to glacial lakes, river systems, settlements, roads, bridges and hydropower projects.
He stressed that stronger scientific research and assessment of the effects of rising temperatures in mountain areas would help improve early warning systems, disaster preparedness, climate adaptation and risk reduction measures.
On climate finance, the minister reiterated Nepal’s call for grant-based, predictable and easily accessible financial support. He pointed out the gap between financial commitments made by developed countries for climate mitigation, adaptation and post-disaster recovery and the actual requirements of climate-vulnerable countries, calling for greater efforts to bridge the gap.
He also said Nepal was coordinating its positions on climate adaptation and finance through international negotiating groups, including the G-77 and China and the Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Mishra, also emphasised the importance of adequate and predictable grant-based financial assistance for countries affected by climate change. He called for stronger international support for technology transfer and institutional capacity development.
Mishra said the LDC Working Group had called for adaptation finance to be increased at least threefold to support the implementation of National Adaptation Plans and protect vulnerable communities. He stressed that such assistance should be provided in the form of grants and made directly accessible to national and local institutions.
Highlighting the severe effects of climate change in the high Himalayan region, Mishra reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
He also stressed that climate change impacts transcend national boundaries, making international cooperation, collective action and solidarity essential among vulnerable countries.
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