'Move from commitment to realization', says FM Khanal
Summary
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal urged the international community to move from commitments to implementation in tackling climate change, citing Nepal’s devastating floods and rising losses. He called for faster climate finance, stronger early warning systems and simplified access to the Loss and Damage Fund.
Key Points
- Shisir Khanal addressed a UN High-Level Meeting on Climate Action and Just Transition at UN Headquarters in New York during the 81st UNGA session.
- He cited Nepal’s recent floods, which he described as a “Himalayan Tsunami,” causing more than $5 billion in damage and affecting nearly 15% of GDP.
- Khanal urged upfront climate finance, universal early warning systems, resilient infrastructure and easier access to the Loss and Damage Fund.
- He framed climate action as a matter of justice rather than charity and warned that Nepal faces a crisis it did not create.
