Key Takeaways:

• Nepal pledged to strengthen community-led climate adaptation at COP31
• Government called for predictable, grant-based climate finance
• Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi disaster reconstruction estimated at US$4.78 billion
• LIFE-AR programme aims to channel climate finance to local communities
• Nepal will host the 15th LIFE-AR Board Meeting next year

KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 12 Nepal has committed to strengthening locally led climate adaptation and ensuring climate finance reaches vulnerable communities, using a global platform at COP31 to call for greater support for countries bearing the brunt of climate change despite contributing little to global emissions. Speaking at the launch of the Least Developed Countries Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience (LIFE-AR) Facility, Agriculture, Forestry and Environment Minister Geeta Chaudhary said Nepal viewed the initiative as an opportunity to transform how climate action is planned, financed and delivered. She said adaptation efforts must be driven by local needs and priorities, with communities playing a central role in climate planning and implementation. Highlighting Nepal's vulnerability, Chaudhary pointed to the devastating Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi disaster of August 26, 2026, which caused widespread human and economic losses. Preliminary assessments indicate that recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction will require about US$4.78 billion, an amount equivalent to nearly 10 percent of Nepal's gross domestic product. The minister said the scale of climate impacts underscored the need for timely, predictable and grant-based climate finance, as well as stronger institutional capacity, climate information systems and early warning mechanisms. Nepal signed a memorandum of understanding with the LIFE-AR initiative on May 8, 2026, and is now working towards operationalising the facility. The programme aims to strengthen local governments and institutions, empower communities and ensure climate funding delivers tangible benefits on the ground. Chaudhary also announced that Nepal will host the 15th LIFE-AR Board Meeting in Kathmandu next year, bringing together representatives of the Least Developed Countries Group and international climate partners. She reaffirmed Nepal's commitment to working with global partners to ensure climate adaptation efforts reach the communities most exposed to climate risks.