FM Rana urges vulnerable countries to unite on climate action
KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba has urged vulnerable countries to unite in tackling the disproportionate impact of climate change on agriculture and livelihoods.
Speaking at the Ministerial Special Session on “Four Betters for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs)” during the 44th session of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Rome, Dr Rana warned that LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS face the greatest climate risks. “It is also adversely affecting agricultural production and livelihoods,” she said.
She cited Nepal’s recent Sagarmatha Sambad summit as a model for global collaboration and called for enhanced climate-adaptation finance, early-warning systems and upgraded rural infrastructure across Himalayan countries. “Only technology, collaboration and solidarity can bridge the gap between potential and achievement. Nepal has always called for South–South and North–South cooperation, technology transfer, market access and expansion, and access to financial resources,” she added.
Minister Rana highlighted that shared crises—food insecurity, malnutrition and climate change—are reversing hard-won development gains. She noted Nepal’s own challenges, including climate-related disasters, weak infrastructure, biodiversity loss and limited access to technology and finance.
Reiterating Nepal’s commitment to the FAO’s “Four Betters”—Better Production, Better Nutrition, Better Environment and Better Life—she outlined national measures under each pillar: scaling up climate-smart farming and high-value mountain crops; promoting diverse, safe and nutrient-rich foods; prioritising agroecology, regenerative agriculture, sustainable soil and water management and biodiversity conservation; and enhancing livelihoods through rural development, social protection, employment and entrepreneurship, with a focus on women, youth, smallholders and marginalised communities.
Minister Rana concluded by noting that over 60% of Nepal’s workforce is engaged in agriculture, which contributes 23% of GDP, and stressed the sector’s vital role in employment, nutrition and livelihood.
By RSS
