KATHMANDU, AUGUST 7

Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli stated that Nepal has made no significant contribution to global carbon emissions, yet the country continues to suffer disproportionately from the adverse impacts of climate change. 'Our carbon emissions are negligible, yet we are among the nations most affected by climate change,' he emphasized.

Speaking at a side event titled 'Glacial Melt and Beyond: Unraveling the Climate Challenges Impacting LLDCs' during the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), held in Awaza, Turkmenistan on Thursday, Prime Minister Oli highlighted the critical threat posed by glacial melting to Nepal.

'As a Himalayan nation, glacial melt is one of the most urgent climate challenges we face,' he remarked. 'The Himalayas are not only the source of water, and the lifeline of billions living downstream, but they also embody our identity, national pride, and our future.'

He further noted the global significance of the Himalayan region, stating: 'The Himalayas and oceans are interlinked, recharging one another. The Himalayas serve as the cooling centers of the planet. Unfortunately, this vital system is vanishing.'

The Prime Minister stressed that glacial melt is not merely an environmental concern for countries like Nepal, but a constant threat undermining development, national security, and survival.

He cited a recent example: 'On July 8, during a clear day, a glacial lake outburst triggered catastrophic floods in the Lende River of Rasuwa district. The flood swept away a vital bridge connecting Nepal and China, claimed around 20 lives, and caused extensive infrastructure damage.'

Such climate-induced disasters are occurring with increasing frequency, he warned, and are expected to escalate in the coming years. He also highlighted that climate-sensitive sectors such as agriculture, hydropower, tourism, and biodiversity are under mounting threat.

'These threats extend far beyond our borders. What happens in our mountains has cascading effects across nations, regions, and generations,' PM Oli said.

He further warned that under current global emissions trajectories, the Himalayan region could lose up to two-thirds of its glacier volume by the end of this century. 'The rivers born in the Himalayas-the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Indus, Mekong, and others-are lifelines for billions. As glaciers recede, these river systems risk drying up, threatening water availability, agriculture, and energy security,' he explained.

'The melting of our glaciers is not simply a loss of ice-it is a loss of lives, livelihoods, heritage, and hope. The cry of the glaciers is not silent. It is loud, urgent, and a plea-not just for action, but for justice,' he said.

PM Oli concluded with a call for unified global action: 'We can still save the Himalayas through concrete, coordinated efforts. By acting collectively, we can slow the speed of glacial melting.'

He affirmed Nepal's commitment to the global climate cause: 'Nepal stands ready-to act, to partner, and to lead-so that the voice of the Himalayas does not fade beneath melting ice, but rises to inspire global climate justice.'