KATHMANDU, Oct 29: Minister for Agriculture, Forests and Environment Geeta Chaudhary and House of Representatives Speaker DP Aryal held discussions over Nepal’s preparations, participation and key priorities for the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31).
COP31 is scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20.
The discussions also covered the expected $20 million in assistance from the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) for losses caused by the Bhotekoshi flood and the approval of $45 million from the Adaptation Fund for three projects in Nepal.
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The participants praised Speaker Aryal’s role in securing the adoption, by a two-thirds majority, of an emergency motion on climate-related disasters at the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
They also discussed setting clear criteria for parliamentary participation at COP31 to make it organized, inclusive and effective. Lawmakers seeking to attend the conference will be required to submit letters outlining their participation plans and funding arrangements.
An expression-of-interest form will be opened for lawmakers wishing to attend at their own expense. Those seeking official recognition will also have to submit a letter to the Speaker. As the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment serves as Nepal’s focal ministry for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), it will issue the necessary accreditation for the conference.
Nepal is also preparing to hold a national climate summit ahead of COP31. The event, to be chaired by Minister Chaudhary and attended by Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal as chief guest, will unveil the country’s mountain strategy, “Living Sagarmatha,” and release Nepal’s position paper for COP31.
At the Nepal Pavilion in Antalya, displays will highlight the Bhotekoshi-Rasuwa floods and the work of relevant Nepali agencies. The presentation aims to showcase Nepal’s efforts in addressing climate-related disasters, reducing risks and advancing climate adaptation to the international community.
