Nepal Seeks Climate Justice for Himalayas at COP31 in Antalya

Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal addressed the opening session of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, calling for climate justice for the Himalayan region. He said Nepal seeks concrete international commitments to protect the mountains and minimise climate impacts.

Khanal stated that Nepal's contribution to global climate change is negligible, yet the Himalayan region is melting at an alarming rate. He noted that the region supports the lives and livelihoods of a large global population.

He highlighted that nearly half of Nepal's land area is covered by community-managed forests. He also said more than 70 per cent of newly purchased consumer vehicles in Nepal are electric.

Nepal, Bhutan and Kyrgyzstan jointly proposed including mountain and climate change issues on the formal COP31 agenda. Khanal said the Himalayan region accounts for around 27 per cent of the world's land area and 15 per cent of its population.

DT Next reported that the proposal failed to enter the formal agenda after developed nations withheld support. Khanal said several Least Developed Countries and mountain nations were positive, while developed countries remained reluctant.

A source with direct knowledge of the discussions said the European Union did not show interest in the Himalayas agenda. The source added that developing nations did not object to or block the proposal.

According to the Nepal government, a research dialogue is expected during upcoming COP31 sessions. The presidency has assured that a final text addressing mountain-related issues will be included in the conference's outcome document.