Nepal’s National Position Paper Released: Continuation of the ‘agenda’ of mountains and climate finance in COP-31
Kathmandu. Nepal has published its position paper by including the ‘Agenda’ to be presented at the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 9 COP-310. The main priorities and stance of Nepal are included in the position paper.
In the position paper released today, Nepal has continued the agenda of Himalayan risks and climate finance in the upcoming COP-31 as in the previous COPs. In the conference to be held in Antalya, Turkey from November 9 to 20, Nepal will emphasize that ambitious steps should be taken to achieve the goal of limiting the global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial era.
Dr. Maheshwar Dhakal, head of climate change management division under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Environment, informed that Nepal has given priority to international cooperation, climate finance and technology transfer for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
“The position paper prepared targeting COP includes topics such as adaptation, loss and damage, agriculture and food security, health, climate finance and technology transfer,” he said.
Similarly, the issues of gender equality, children, youth, persons with disabilities, the impact of climate change on indigenous tribes and minority communities and climate justice are also covered.
Similarly, Dr. Prakash Singh Thapa, head of climate change and upliftment branch under the division, gave a presentation on the main agenda in the status chart and emphasized that we should proceed from climate talks to implementation. Noting that the challenge to achieve the goal of limiting global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius is increasing, he said that efforts are being made to intensify climate action through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
In the recently concluded United Nations General Assembly, the subject of the legally binding consultative opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on climate change was strongly raised, Thapa said that it should be taken seriously in terms of climate action.
“Even though Nepal has made a negligible contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions in the COP, it has suffered disproportionately large losses due to climate change. Therefore, Nepal will raise the issue of increasing financial and technical assistance by developed countries according to the principles of climate justice, equality and common but different responsibilities and their own capabilities,” said Thapa.
According to him, preparations are being made to present an example of the increasing risk of climate-related disasters in the Himalayan region due to the devastating flood that occurred in the Bhotekoshi region on August 10. He informed that the issue of the need to mobilize international climate finance for immediate relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction after the disaster will also be presented at the conference. “Especially, Nepal’s priority is to develop a mechanism to quickly provide post-disaster aid from the climate-related loss and damage fund,” he said.
Initiative of a separate action plan on mountains
In order to establish the Himalayan region as the main subject of climate negotiations in COP-31, Nepal will take the initiative to establish a separate work program related to the Himalayan ecosystem under the annual high-level dialogue and the draft convention on climate change of the United Nations.
Disasters caused by melting glaciers, explosions of glaciers, avalanches, rock and snow mixed landslides and heavy rains affect not only the mountainous areas but also the coastal settlements, water resources, agriculture, energy and people’s livelihood, so there is a need for regional cooperation and exchange of scientific information.
Nepal has prepared to advance the achievements of the International Expert Dialogue on Mountains, Humans and Climate Change organized in 2024, the Everest Dialogue in 2025 and the Global Dialogue on Mountains and Climate Change held in June 2026 in the international climate talks. He said, “Nepal will emphasize more scientific studies and international cooperation for the effect of temperature rise in the Himalayan region, glacier and snow monitoring, climate risk assessment, multi-disaster early warning system and disaster response.”
Emphasis on adaptation and climate finance
According to the head of the division, Dr. Dhakal, Nepal will support the initiative to triple the adaptation finance by 2035 for climate change adaptation. In addition, he said, he will urge developed countries to provide sufficient, predictable, easily accessible and grant-based finance for the implementation of the National Adaptation Plan and National Determined Contribution.
It is mentioned in the document that international finance, technology transfer and capacity building are needed to effectively implement policy arrangements including Nepal’s Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0) and National Adaptation Plan. Nepal is also preparing to raise the issues of facilitating access to climate finance, supporting local level-based adaptation programs, expanding early warning systems for disaster risk reduction, and increasing investment in building climate-resilient infrastructure at COPMA-31 as a priority.
It is mentioned in the position paper that Nepal will present a commitment to promote low-emission development through the promotion of clean energy, hydropower, electric vehicles and forest protection. According to the ministry, Nepal’s main message in COP-31 is to implement global climate commitments, establish international recognition of mountain risks and provide adequate financial and technical support to weak countries and communities that are suffering from the effects of climate change.
According to the ministry, a position paper has been prepared by including the suggestions of the concerned agencies. Parvata Gautam, Secretary General of the Community Forest Consumer Federation, suggested that international water and climate finance should be directly accessible to the local level in the context of climate change affecting the local community the most and to raise the voice of water and climate justice in Kop.
Nepal signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1992 and ratified it in 1994. Similarly, Nepal became a party to the Paris Agreement in 2016. Punishment for mistakes not made
Dr. Rajendra Mishra, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Environment, said that even though Nepal’s role in greenhouse gas emissions is low, it is suffering the effects of climate-related disasters like the Bhotekoshi flood and will continue to raise its voice in international meetings like COP.
Presenting Nepal’s priority in COP-31, he mentioned Himalayan climate justice, loss and damage, equitable access to climate finance, adaptation, disaster resilience and climate-friendly infrastructure as the main topics of Nepal’s discussion.
According to Secretary Mishra, Nepal is making efforts to reduce and adapt to the effects of climate change through programs such as clean energy promotion and forest protection. He said that Nepal has prioritized nature-based solutions and building climate-sustaining infrastructure.
Mentioning that the role of local government and community in climate solutions and leadership is important, he stressed on the need to ensure the participation of women, indigenous tribes and local stakeholders. He said that the conclusions of various communities’ voices, priorities and collective lobbying will be taken up to COP-31.
With the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2045, Secretary Mishra said that he is committed to advance climate action, forest protection, renewable energy and sustainable development. He mentioned that global solidarity and cooperation is needed to make national emission reduction and climate action effective.
“Protection of the Himalayas is not only a national concern, it is a matter of existence and global importance,” said Secretary Mishra, adding, “The consequences of changes in the Himalayas reach far beyond its borders.” He expressed his expectation that COP-31 will strengthen international partnership and identify practical solutions and common commitments. Mishra emphasized that the benefits of climate finance, technology and adaptation programs should be extended to the communities most affected by climate change and remote and small settlements.