Baku, Azerbaijan: Nepal's President Ramchandra Paudel, leading the nation’s delegation at the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), has taken center stage with a high-level session addressing climate-induced loss and damage in mountainous regions.

The session, titled "Addressing Climate Induced Loss and Damage in Mountainous Regions", aims to draw global attention to the pressing vulnerabilities of high-altitude ecosystems. Speaking at the COP29 summit, President Paudel underscored the critical role of mountain conservation, stating, “The protection of the mountains is the protection of the earth. Turning white mountains into black will not only cause crises for mountainous countries but also for low-lying coastal regions.”

President Paudel also held bilateral discussions with Maldivian President Mohamud Muizzu, highlighting the shared climate challenges faced by Nepal and the Maldives. Both leaders emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration and reciprocal support in climate negotiations.

Nepal’s participation in the World Leaders Climate Action Summit, under President Paudel's leadership, showcases the country's proactive stance on climate action. The summit has attracted influential figures from around the globe, including Presidents or Vice Presidents from 40 nations and Prime Ministers from 35 countries.

President Paudel’s involvement in COP29, at the invitation of Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, reflects Nepal’s commitment to advocating for climate resilience, particularly for vulnerable mountainous regions that are disproportionately impacted by global warming.