Agriculture Minister Pariyar reaffirms commitment to climate justice at COP30 in Brazil

KATHMANDU: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr Madan Prasad Pariyar is representing Nepal at the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30), being held in Brazil from November 10–21, 2025. He attended the event on Sunday, Brazil time, where he reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to climate justice and briefed participants on the country’s NDC 3.0, which sets a pathway towards achieving zero emissions by 2045, the Ministry of Forests and Environment said.

The Ministerial Segment of COP30 officially opened on Sunday morning, featuring statements by Vice President of Brazil, Geraldo Alckmin, President of COP30, André Corrêa do Lago, and senior UN officials.

Highlighting the major climate challenges Nepal faces, which range from retreating glaciers and severe drought to unseasonal floods and impacts on agriculture, Pariyar said the country is taking steps to address these threats. “As one of the world’s most nature‑connected nations, our forest cover now exceeds 46%,” he said.

Urging developed countries to fulfil their past commitments on climate finance, the Minister emphasised that every country must submit ambitious NDCs, fulfil treaty obligations, and respect the ICJ Advisory Opinion on climate justice. He said all Parties, including emerging economies, must engage constructively to keep the 1.5‑degree target within reach and called for the urgent integration of a dedicated mountain agenda into UNFCCC processes, referring to the Sagarmatha Sambaad held in Kathmandu in May.

Prior to his speech, Minister Pariyar interacted with stakeholders in Belém and online on progress to date and the road ahead. Participants were briefed on Nepal’s engagement in agenda areas including climate finance, adaptation, loss and damage, transparency, the Global Stocktake, gender, and mountain issues.

In addition to his plenary intervention, the Minister has been participating in side events and engaging at bilateral and multilateral levels. He attended an event organised by the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, outlining Nepal’s plans to expand clean‑energy practices, including increasing the use of electric vehicles and electric cooking appliances.

Later, Pariyar joined the Ministerial Meeting of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), which marked the handover of the presidency of the LDC Group on climate change. He praised Malawi’s contributions as outgoing chair and expressed Nepal’s solidarity with and support for the incoming presidency of Timor‑Leste.

In the afternoon, the Minister met counterparts from member countries of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) to strengthen collective efforts to protect biodiversity and the climate by safeguarding big cats. As a founding member of the Alliance, Nepal reiterated its commitment to advancing its objectives.

As part of his bilateral engagements, Minister Pariyar met on Saturday with Ibrahim Cheikh Diong, Executive Director of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, to discuss opportunities for Nepal to access financing for suitable national projects. He is scheduled to meet Bhupender Yadav, India’s Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, on the sidelines of the conference tomorrow.

Also today, Nepal hosted a side event entitled “Sagarmatha to Belém: Advancing Climate Action”, aimed at reviewing progress since the adoption of the Sagarmatha Call for Action and developing strategies to advance the mountain agenda within UNFCCC processes. Ministers and senior officials from mountainous countries participated.

The Ministry of Forests and Environment has said that at COP30, Nepal is actively working through various platforms to integrate mountain‑related issues into the UNFCCC process, guided by the conclusions of the Sagarmatha Dialogue.

Amid the growing impacts of climate change, Nepal has witnessed significant changes in rainfall patterns, volume and timing, which have triggered climate‑related disasters and caused major losses and damages. This year alone, more than 300 people have lost their lives to floods, landslides, droughts, glacial lake outburst floods and forest fires, with economic losses running into the billions.

Minister Pariyar arrived in Belém on November 15, leading a Nepali delegation that includes senior government officials. Upon arrival in Brazil, the delegation was welcomed by Nepal’s Ambassador to Brazil, Nirmal Raj Kafle. The Minister is scheduled to return home on November 19.

(With inputs from RSS)