KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 5
With the stage set in Azerbaijan for the annual world climate conference, COP29, Nepal has finalized its key agenda for the event.
President Ram Chandra Paudel is scheduled to attend the UN climate conference in Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22.
Dr. Sindhu Prasad Dhungana, Chief of the Climate Change Division at the Ministry of Forests and Environment, confirmed that Nepal has finalized its agenda for COP29. According to him, the top priorities will include loss and damage, mountain regions, and climate finance.
These were highlighted in the national status paper, developed with input from various working groups focused on carbon trading, climate finance, mitigation, adaptation, capacity building, gender equality, transparency, and good governance.
To draw global attention to the impacts of climate change on Nepal, a high-level session will be chaired by President Paudel on November 13 during COP29, as noted by the Minister of Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri.
Nepal received approval from the UNFCCC to hold this special session, which will focus on "Addressing Loss and Damage in Mountain Regions." The session is expected to attract UN officials, representatives from other mountainous countries, and development partners.
Nepal will share pressing issues related to loss and damage, including incidents in Melamchi, Mustang, Kanchanpur, Thame, and the Kathmandu Valley.
Dhungana further mentioned that the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) group will hold roundtable discussions on November 5-6, followed by meetings of the G77+China on November 9-10, both of which Nepal will attend.
Bimal Regmi, a member of the Environment Conservation and Climate Change Management Council, emphasized the importance of raising Nepal's national interests and urgent needs, with a focus on the Himalayas.
As a party to the UNFCCC, Nepal has consistently participated in COP conferences, preparing national adaptation plans, sharing its climate goals, and urging industrialized nations to address the urgent climate needs of LDCs and resource-constrained countries.
Ministry Secretary Dr. Dipak Kumar Kharal noted that COP29 is especially significant for Nepal, as "climate finance" and "carbon credits" are major agenda items.
