Kathmandu: With the UN Climate Conference (COP29) set to begin in Baku, Azerbaijan from November 11 to 22, Nepal has prioritized climate finance and the mountain agenda to address the unique challenges it faces due to climate change. President Ram Chandra Paudel will lead Nepal’s delegation to the annual event, where world leaders and climate experts gather to address pressing environmental issues.

According to Dr. Sindhu Prasad Dhungana, head of the climate change division at Nepal’s Ministry of Forest and Environment, Nepal’s agenda will focus on loss and damage, climate finance, and mountain region resilience. These priorities, highlighted in a national status paper, reflect extensive stakeholder consultations on issues like carbon trade, adaptation, gender equality, and good governance.

President Paudel is expected to chair a high-level session on November 13 titled "Addressing Loss and Damage in Mountain Regions," showcasing the unique climate vulnerabilities Nepal faces in areas such as Melamchi, Mustang, and Kathmandu Valley. The session, approved by the UNFCCC, aims to draw global attention to the impacts of climate change on mountainous regions and advocate for increased support.

Leading up to COP29, Nepal will participate in LDC (Least Developed Countries) and G77+China group meetings. Highlighting the Himalayas’ needs, Environment Council member Bimal Regmi emphasized that Nepal's advocacy would reflect its current national interests, particularly those of its mountainous and resource-constrained areas.

The Ministry’s Secretary, Dr. Dipak Kumar Kharal, noted the importance of climate finance and carbon credit discussions at COP29, as Nepal continues its push for urgent global climate action and financial support to meet its climate ambitions.