- Monday, 19 October 2026
Kathmandu, Oct 19: Nepal will focus on climate justice, protection of the Himalayan region, climate adaptation, and climate-related loss and damage at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP-31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to be held in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20.
The Ministry of Forests and Environment said Nepal would call on the international community to recognize the country’s disproportionate climate risks despite its minuscule contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Ministry Secretary Rajendra Prasad Mishra said recent disasters have revealed the vulnerability of the Himalayan region, making climate justice and mountain protection central to Nepal’s agenda.
“We want the delegation to be organized, effective and inclusive,” Mishra said, adding that representatives from government agencies and civil society would be included.
Nepal’s delegation will be led by Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal while the Forests and Environment Minister Gita Chaudhary will also attend the conference.
As part of its preparations, the government will hold a national conference on October 29 with representatives from ministries, diplomatic missions, development partners, civil society and the private sector.
Joint Secretary Dr Maheshwar Dhakal said the conference will unveil Nepal’s national position paper and climate policy documents, which will focus on Himalayan protection, climate adaptation, carbon emission reduction and the impact of rising global temperatures on mountain ecosystems.
He said recent disasters in the Bhotekoshi and Budhigandaki river systems, as well as earlier disasters in Melamchi, Thame, Manang, Mustang, Kanchanpur and Ilam had underscored the need to enhance international support for climate adaptation and loss-and-damage mechanisms.
Nepal will also set up a national pavilion at the conference venue to showcase photographs, videos and discussions related to Himalayan vulnerability, flood disasters and climate conservation efforts. The ministry is seeking support from development partners and non-governmental organizations to set up the pavilion.
Nepal has always advocated climate justice through the United Nations, successive COP conferences and the Least Developed Countries group.
The ministry said Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s remarks at the UN General Assembly and Foreign Minister Khanal’s interventions at the pre-COP meeting would influence Nepal’s priorities at COP-31.
Dhakal said discussions were underway to improve Nepal’s access to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, saying they were hopeful that support based on Nepal’s submissions would be announced during COP-31.
Climate scientist Kushal Gurung said Nepal should prioritize grants and concessional financing, strengthen carbon trading and present evidence-based assessments of recent disasters to obtain greater international support.
He also urged for a rapid-response financial mechanism that could be activated immediately during climate-related disasters to accelerate relief and recovery efforts. #nepal RSS
