Nepal attending COP29 dialogues in seven groups

By Bhishma Raj Ojha, Baku (Azerbaijan), Nov 15: The Ministry of Forest and Environment has formed separate groups incorporating the joint secretaries and undersecretaries on various seven agenda in the ongoing COP29.     

It is the 29th edition of the Conference of Parties (COP) to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which is going on since November 11 here. The annual UN conference was attended and addressed by President Ramchandra Paudel. The event is scheduled to run till November 22.     

After President Paudel returned home following his address and some significant meetings, the Nepali delegation is currently led by Minister for Forest and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri.     

As per Secretary Dr Dipak Kumar Kharal, the groups Nepal is attending are climate finance, loss and damage, transparency, carbon trade, capacity building, climate change mitigation, and inclusion     

Dr Kharal further informed that regular monitoring and coordination was made for effective participation in the dialogue.     

It is said nearly 73,000 people from 193 countries are attending the event.     

Climate resilient development Nepal's priority     

Meanwhile, Minister Shahi has made it clear that climate resilient development is Nepal's priority. He said Nepal is a highly vulnerable to climate risk warranting climate resilient and sustainable development.     

He said this during his meeting with World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO) Chair Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer on Friday on the sidelines of the COP29. Nepal was excited to participate in the Organisation to contribute to collective efforts and think of its benefits, he added.     

Nepal would abide by the established procedures in any significant international engagement and seek the necessary approvals from the relevant ministries.     

"We are eager to explore potential areas of collaboration with the United Arab Emirates and the WGEO, particularly in the fields of renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and climate finance, including technical and financial cooperation, transfer of knowledge, skills, green finance tools, and capacity building," said Minister Shahi.     

He said that this collaboration holds the potential to make significant progress in addressing Nepal's climate challenges and promoting a green economy.     

Ministry Secretary Dr Deepak Kumar Kharal and others were also present on the occasion.(RSS)