KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 24

Foreign Secretary Bharat Raj Paudyal said countries like Nepal were bearing the brunt of climate change for no fault of theirs.

Addressing the Annual Ministerial Meeting of the Group of 77 (plus China) on the margins of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on behalf of the Government of Nepal yesterday, he warned that Nepal was one of the most vulnerable countries facing the climate crisis despite the fact that it had no role in contributing to climate change.

Developing countries tend to depend on the Group of 77 (plus China) established in 1964 as the largest inter-governmental organisation of developing countries in the United Nations for negotiations.

This Group was established in 1964 by 77 developing countries, including Nepal.

'On our part, we have put in place the local adaptation plan to address the challenges and vulnerabilities of people at the grassroots level. We remain committed to realising Nepal's ambition of net-zero carbon emission by 2045. The developed countries must lead from the front by reducing emissions and providing climate finance.'

'G-77 (plus China) must redouble its effort to ensure that the fruit of development reaches the furthest behind first. Nepal is committed to upholding the Group's principles of unity, solidarity, and cooperation and supporting the cause of global peace and prosperity,' Secretary Paudyal added. According to him, humanity is experiencing multiple tremors from the pandemic, climate crisis, geopolitical tensions, and economic recession. The COV- ID-19 pandemic is still not only ravaging our economies, but also jeopardising our efforts to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development. The climate crisis continues to pose an existential threat to humanity.

Many developing countries are experiencing instances of floods, landslides, and fire like never before.

He sounded the alarm saying food insecurity was rising, fuel crisis was soaring, and inflation was at record high. 'This has exacerbated the inequalities within and between countries and aggravated liquidity crises and indebtedness of developing countries. This warrants more solidarity and cooperation at the global level. G-77 (plus China) must lead for timely, accelerated implementation of the Paris Agreement, Addis Ababa Action Agenda, and other internationally agreed development goals.' He called upon the developed countries to fulfil their official development assistance commitments.

'Global economic governance must be made fair, inclusive, and democratic so that developing countries are provided with a level playing field,' he added.

A version of this article appears in the print on September 25, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.