Nepal to voice for ‘From Mountains to Sea’ at COP 29

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Oct. 27: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the upcoming global climate conference (COP 29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024 will clearly and strongly emphasise the concept of “From Mountains to the Sea.”

Addressing the inaugural session of the National Climate Conference, organised by the Ministry of Forests and Environment on Saturday, Prime Minister Oli said that Nepal’s stance on climate justice, presented at the 79th United Nations General Assembly, will be more effectively expressed at COP 29.

Prime Minister Oli stressed that the ruling coalition, which includes the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) and Nepali Congress, both with a history of movements for change, will not let democracy falter. 

He also clarified their commitment to democracy, which he stated is the best system for the nation and humanity. “We are taking action. We will not let the people die of hunger or suffer from poverty. This government was formed to address these very issues,” the Prime Minister said.

The third meeting of the National Council for Environmental Protection and Climate Change Management, held on Friday at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar, resolved to prepare a clear stance on Nepal’s climate perspective for COP 29. The Nepali delegation, led by President Ramchandra Paudel, is set to participate in the event.

Prime Minister Oli said that Nepal’s mountains contribute to global temperature balance and that protecting these mountains from carbon emissions is in the world’s interest. He stressed that Nepal should receive fair compensation from high-emission countries.

Dr. Sindhu Prasad Dhungana, Chief of the Climate Management Division within the Ministry, said that the conference was organised to make COP 29, scheduled from November 11 to 22, meaningful. The event will assemble parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Baku.

This conference would gather suggestions for issues to be presented at COP 29, enhancing Nepal’s participation and furthering our national agenda, said Dr. Dhungana. He also said that the conference discussions would help make the agenda for COP-29 more impactful.