HELSINKI, AUGUST 16

The Government of Nepal and the Finnish Government have committed to working together in areas of water resources utilisation, climate change, and risk reduction of monsoon-induced natural disasters.

During a meeting between Minister of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Pampha Bhusal and Minister of Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari of Finland held here today, the two sides expressed their solidarity to work with unity on issues of common concern.

On the occasion, Minister Bhusal stated that Nepal wanted to establish partnership with the Finnish Government in the areas of climate change, adding that Nepal had no contribution to climate change, but its impacts were severe on the country.

She also urged to further expand cooperation with the Finnish Government to Nepal on reduction risk of disasters which were occurring due to the impact of climate change.

Likewise, Minister Bhusal also asked the Finnish minister to expand cooperation between Department of Hydrology and Meteorology of Nepal and Finnish Meteorological Institute.

Saying that Nepal has prioritised reservoir-based hydropower projects to make Nepal's energy sector safe and credible, Minister Bhusal urged the Finnish minister to further expand its assistance to Nepal's hydropower development.

On the occasion, she expected the Finnish Government's financial assistance to build reservoir-based mega hydropower projects, including the Budhi Gandaki Hydropower Project.

Furthermore, she urged the Finnish minister for technology transfer to develop hydrogen energy in Nepal, adding that Nepal had accorded special priority to clean energy.

Likewise, the Finish Minister of Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Skinnari expressed commitment on behalf of his government to continue assistance to Nepal's socio-eonomic development and minimise the impact of climate change. 'Climate change is our common issue. We will support Nepal to reduce its impacts,' he said.

During the meeting, officials from both countries were present.

The Finnish government is providing assistance to Nepal in the area of energy development, sanitation, drinking water, weather forecasting and civil aviation.

A version of this article appears in the print on August 17, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.