Nepal's Agenda At COP 29

The 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 29) has got underway in Baku, Azerbaijan, from Monday. Nepal is attending the global climate event with a high-level delegation led by President Ramchandra Paudel. Nepal will present its agenda at the international conference, including climate financing, mountain specific vulnerabilities, loss and damage redressal, technology transfer and development, and capacity development. Participated in by the head of the state, Nepal is expected to make a significant presence in the global forum. The special focus will be to put forward the burning issue from the perspective of its own and other mountainous and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) of the world. 

Nepal's participation in COP is important as it has been preparing its national adaptation plans, sharing climate ambitions and reminding the industrialised countries to pay attention to the climate change impacts faced by the LDCs. Nepal will highlight the unique challenges faced by mountainous countries like itself due to global warming. Nepal aims to draw the attention of the global community to the impacts of climate change on high-altitude areas like the melting of glaciers and loss of biodiversity. Climate change has affected every country regardless of their share in greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. But 'Polluter Pays' is the principal essence of climate justice the Baku conference should put at the centre of its discussions. In this regard, Nepal should put due emphasis on the climate induced extreme weather events it is experiencing and the need for international mechanism to address such problem.

In order to draw global attention to climate change impacts in Nepal, a high-level session will be held under the chairmanship of President Paudel during COP 29, on November 13. The session will feature ‘addressing loss and damage in mountain regions’. Nepal’s pressing issues related to loss and damage, like that in Melamchi, Mustang, Kanchanpur, Thame and Kathmandu Valley would be shared on the occasion. 

President Paudel will deliver a national statement alongside leaders from 50 other countries at this World Leaders Summit. Likewise, Nepal will also present findings from recent research titled 'Rapid Urbanisation and Climate Change; Key Drivers of Dramatic Flood Impacts in Nepal'. The research outlines the severe flash flood and landside in the Kathmandu Valley due to high precipitation over a short period of time which was exacerbated by climate change and rapid urbanisation. Nepal seeks to increase financial support to implement a climate mitigation and adaptation strategy emphasising the need for adequate and accessible funding for developing nations. Global warming has threatened the fragile ecosystem of the mountainous regions and communities dependent on mountains for their subsistence. 

Climate crisis has forced indigenous communities out of the place they have always called their home in search of water sources and livelihood opportunities. So Nepal needs assistance from the global community to combat the climate crisis it has been facing. Global warming and climate change have taken a toll on agricultural yields, food production, ecosystems, bio-diversity and freshwater supply in Nepal. Likewise, our snow-covered mountains are melting at an alarming rate. It has posed increasing threat of glacial lake outbursts. The recent glacial lake outburst caused a devastating flood in the Khumbu region. Global warming and climate change have affected us in every sphere of our lives. So Nepal should raise this issue in the UN event with due emphasis.