President Ramchandra Paudel departs Kathmandu today to attend the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP-29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Invited by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, President Paudel will lead a high-level delegation to the summit, which runs from November 11 to 22.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that President Paudel will address the ‘World Leaders Climate Action Summit’ on November 12, sharing Nepal’s climate action priorities.
Additionally, Nepal will hold a dedicated high-level session on November 13, led by President Paudel, aimed at spotlighting the nation’s climate challenges and goals to the global community.
A crucial meeting at the conference will focus on addressing climate-induced damage in mountainous regions. Nepal will highlight the severe impact of floods and landslides resulting from extreme weather events, which have affected regions including Melamchi, Mustang, Kanchanpur, Thame, and the Kathmandu Valley.
Nepal is one of the countries highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
In response, the country has raised its concerns in international forums and made ambitious commitments to reducing emissions of carbon gas and adapting to climate change.
Nepal has already presented its second Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) in 2020 and its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) in 2022, highlighting strategies to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to the changing climate.
Similarly, Nepal has approved and implemented the Third National Communications Report, National Climate Vulnerability and Risk Assessment Report, Long-term Low Emission Development Strategy, and National Loss and Damage Framework in 2021, and the Nationally Determined Contribution Implementation Plan in 2023.
Moreover, climate adaptation, resilience and a green economy are the priorities of the 16th Periodic Plan.
At COP26, Nepal presented ambitious plans which include the escalation of forest area to 45 per cent by 2030 and the reduction of carbon emissions to zero by 2045.
In terms of afforestation, Nepal has met the target before the deadline. Nepal expects easy and sufficient access to climate finance, as well as support and cooperation from the international community, to achieve its ambitious goals for green and resilient development.
As a signatory to multiple climate accords, Nepal is actively working on a national adaptation action plan with a 2050 target for climate resilience. President Paudel is expected to return to Nepal on November 15.
