Nepal’s push for Himalayan climate agenda falls short at COP31
Summary
Nepal’s bid to win a separate mountain climate agenda at COP31 has failed to gain formal recognition, though consultations on mountains and climate change will continue. Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said Nepal will keep pressing for stronger recognition of Himalayan vulnerabilities in global climate talks.
Key Points
- Nepal and other mountain countries failed to secure a separate formal agenda item for mountains and climate change at COP31.
- Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said the issue will continue through consultations, with further research dialogues planned at UN climate meetings in Bonn in 2027 and 2028.
- Nepal wants mountain concerns built into the Global Goal on Adaptation and the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance.
- Khanal linked the push to severe climate impacts in the Himalayas and the August 26 disaster in the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river system.
