Nepal to Participate in COP-31 Led by Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal

Kathmandu. Nepal's delegation will participate in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference (COP-31) starting in Antalya, Turkey from November 9, led by Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal. However, the government has not yet made an official decision regarding this. According to an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, preparations are underway for Foreign Minister Khanal to lead the delegation to COP-31. The exact number of participants is yet to be finalized. Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Forest and Environment, Ministry of Finance, and some other related bodies are expected to be part of the team. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that a small delegation from Nepal is being prepared this time. Topics to be Raised at COP Nepal has prepared its positions to be presented at COP-31. Nepal's preparation is to prioritize the crises of mountains and mountainous regions, climate-induced loss and damage, and climate justice in international climate negotiations. Nepal is preparing to call on the international community to take strong action on the issue that the devastating disasters faced by Nepal clearly demonstrate the severe impact of climate change on mountainous countries. The goal of the Paris Agreement to limit the Earth's temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius is a matter of life and death for Nepal. To prevent irreparable damage to mountains and mountain ranges due to temperature increase, Nepal will demand a permanent agenda and an annual mountain dialogue in line with the spirit of the Sagarmatha Dialogue held in Nepal and the Global Dialogue held in June 2026. Nepal has maintained its stance that adaptation finance must be tripled by 2035. Nepal will advocate for making the loss and damage fund effective to address economic and non-economic losses arising from climate change. It is set to demand the establishment of a rapid mechanism to provide relief and reconstruction funds through a quick and simple process for sudden disasters like those in the Bhote Koshi region. Nepal will urge countries with high carbon emissions to drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions to achieve the 1.5 degrees Celsius target. Nepal's concept paper mentions presenting its renewable energy potential as a contribution to climate change mitigation. Furthermore, Nepal will demand adequate, predictable, accessible, and grant-based climate finance for least developed countries and climate-vulnerable mountainous nations. It has also put forward the concept of creating a new financial mechanism for countries that contribute to the conservation of natural resources and mountains. Nepal is also preparing to prioritize the issue that while having a negligible role in global carbon emissions, countries like Nepal are paying a heavy price. Nepal is said to advocate for climate justice. Emphasis will be placed on ensuring the meaningful participation of women, children, indigenous peoples, and marginalized communities. Nepal will appeal to the international community to increase monitoring of mountains and snow, disaster risk assessment, multi-hazard early warning systems, and the use of artificial intelligence. Additionally, Nepal will organize a separate special program at COP-31 in collaboration with Bhutan and Kyrgyzstan.