Kathmandu, Oct 22. Nepal has intensified its internal preparations for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) scheduled to be held from upcoming November 9 to 20 in Antalya of Türkiye.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment, Nepal’s position paper for the UN event has neared the final phase and submissions from the concerned stakeholders are being collected to further enhance the document.
According to Chief of the Climate Management Division within the Ministry, Joint Secretary Dr Maheshwor Dhakal, the paper is expected to be unveiled next week. Nepal aims to strengthen its diplomatic initiatives to improve its access to climate justice and international climate fund.
According to Dr Dhakal, high-level political representation is essential to effectively raise Nepal’s voice and present its priorities at the Conference. He said that since the first week will be dedicated to technical and thematic negotiations, while the second week will involve ministerial-level meetings for decision-making and the approval of documents, the participation of political leadership is crucial particularly on issues concerning climate finance and adaptation.
Similarly, he echoed the need for a clear plan for the participation of representatives from federal, province and local-levels in the finalisation of the paper. The Ministry has encouraged some challenges as there are a large number of interested representatives in political participations amidst limited resources.
Since the recent Bhotekoshi disaster has drawn wider international attention to Nepal’s vulnerability to climate change, the incident will also remain as an opportunity for Nepal to present its position more effectively and strongly.
According to Dr Manish Raj Pandey, Director of the Climate Change Department at the National Trust for Nature Conservation, Nepal is expected to highlight specific climate challenges and risks being faced by mountain regions, climate induced loss and damage, and financial support for adaption.
He stressed that issues such as the monitoring of glacier lakes, the protection of downstream communities affected by disasters in the mountain region, and risk mitigation should be incorporated international negotiations.
Dr Pandey stressed the to mobilize adequate financial resources to address climate-induced loss and damage, ensure rapid support to affected communities, and secure recognition for social, cultural, and other non-economic losses.
He argued that such support should be provided as grants, rather than loans. Furthermore, it is urgent to empower local levels and communities to make effective use of the Adaptation Fund, and to simplify and expedite access to climate finance for national entities in least developed and mountainous countries.
In view of Raju Pandit Chhetri highlighted the imbalance in global investment, stating that conflicts and trade receive greater attention than climate mitigation and adaptation. He stressed that through Cop 31, global powers should be made accountable for increasing climate finance, citing the Bhotekoshi floods as a stark example of climate vulnerability.
Climate expert Manjeet Dhakal described COP 31 as a vital opportunity to highlight Nepal’s climate risks and vulnerabilities. He stressed that Nepal must meet its own emission-reduction commitments, while urging developed nations to cut emissions and deliver climate finance to protect livelihood, infrastructure, and development.
