Nepal must strengthen preparation, institutional capacity for climate talks: Minister Khanal

ANTALYA, TÜRKIYE: Minister for Foreign Affairs Shisir Khanal has said Nepal will strengthen preparatory measures, sustained diplomatic engagement and multilateral cooperation to establish a more effective role in international climate change negotiations and diplomacy.

Speaking during COP31, the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Khanal reflected on the complexities of climate negotiations and the challenges surrounding Nepal's diplomatic preparations.

He said the COP decision-making process is based on consensus among participating countries, making climate diplomacy inherently challenging as it requires countries with differing interests and priorities to reach common ground.

"To fully establish the agendas we seek, preparation and participation of various stakeholders are required in advance," he said.

Khanal said Nepal had, for the first time, attempted to formally place mountain-related issues at the centre of COP negotiations. However, he noted that including a topic proposed by a country in the formal negotiation agenda requires extensive international efforts.

Although Nepal's mountain agenda was not formally included in the official schedule, he said conference leadership has been advancing the issues through a consultation process.

According to the minister, there has been positive progress on priorities raised by Nepal, including the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, ensuring predictable grant-based climate finance and promoting research and action plans focused on mountainous regions.

"To save the Himalayas, it is essential to keep global temperature rise within 1.5 degrees Celsius. For that, global commitment is necessary," he said.

Khanal added that discussions are progressing on dedicated research into the impacts of climate change in mountainous regions and on the establishment of a Mountain Work Programme.

He said the programme, if established, would help advance climate finance, research and adaptation efforts in a more integrated manner in mountainous areas.

The minister also said the existing climate finance system requires improvement, arguing that resources for adaptation and mitigation should be made available before disasters occur.

He said delays in receiving assistance due to lengthy administrative procedures after disasters should be eliminated.

"Climate finance should be simple, predictable, and grant-based," he said.

Khanal further stressed that long-term preparation and institutional capacity building are necessary to enhance Nepal's effectiveness in international climate change negotiations.

He said Nepal needs to engage in diplomatic dialogue and negotiations well in advance of climate conferences while understanding the interests and priorities of different countries.

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