COP-31: Effective diplomatic initiatives underscored for easy access to climate finance

By Pragati Dhakal, KATHMANDU:- Nepal, which has been receiving disproportionate impact of climate change despite little role behind global crises, has launched discussions to reinforce its diplomatic efforts in a bid to secure better access to climate finance. 

The line ministry forwarded a discussion on how Nepal could secure better access to climate finance in the wake of upcoming annual UN climate event, Climate Change Conference (COP-31), which is scheduled for November 9 to 20, 2026.

The global climate event would held in Antalya, Turkey.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment conducted discussions with stakeholders, including officials from various ministries on the necessary preparations and processes for Nepal to establish easy access to international climate finance in the upcoming COP-31.

As in the past, climate justice and mountain agenda are the priorities this time too. The Development, Economic Affairs and Good Governance Committee of the National Assembly also discussed with stakeholders and sought cooperation at the national level to effectively raise the issues of Nepal’s mountainous region, climate justice, climate finance, adaptation and climate-related hazards in the upcoming COP-31.

Committee chair Krishna Prasad Poudel suggested the government that it made necessary preparations to facilitate easy access to climate finance. It is essential to ensure Nepal’s participation in the upcoming COP-31 result-oriented. Utmost coordination among three-tiers of government, related ministries and agencies help make Nepal’s advocacy loud and clear in the international climate negotiations, according to him.

Secretary at the parliament secretariat and committee secretary Dr Rojnath Pandey was for advancing technical and diplomatic issues in an effective manner so that Nepal’s participation would be meaningful in COP-31.

Joint secretary at the Ministry of Finance and Head of the International Economic Relations Division, Dr. Dhaniram Sharma, said Nepal deserves adequate access to climate finance for it is severely affected by climate change. Implementation of commitments related to climate finance made at the international level in the past is equally significant, he reminded, adding that Nepal had augmented its access to major climate funds like the Green Climate Fund, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Adaptation Fund, and the Loss and Damage Fund in recent years.

In his opinion, government needs to mobilize international climate finance by improving the quality and effectiveness of climate projects. Mobilization of additional foreign grants and international resources for climate is also imperative, he underlined.

Similarly, Head of the Climate Management Division at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment, Dr Maheshwor Dhakal, informed that Nepal had been raising its voice on the agenda including climate finance, adaptation, climate-related losses and damages, technology transfer and capacity development in the COPs.

“We have for making climate diplomacy more efficient and preparations are on for the same,” Dhakal said, adding that Nepal can spearhead the Himalayan issues, for it has a clear concept of climate justice, a unique identity as a mountainous country, international credibility and the ability to collaborate with various countries and regional groups.”

According to him, Nepal has an international credibility with its regular participation in the UN climate change-related mechanism, the Group of Least Developed Countries and various processes linked to the Himalayas.

Official at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Dr Jagadishwar Karmacharya, said energy sector has an instrumental role in in achieving Nepal’s climate policy and low-carbon development goals.

Joint secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Krishna Prasad Dhakal, argued Nepal’s mountainous region has been suffering high risk of climate change, so both the external and internal preparations should be reinforced for its protection. “Foreign Ministry advances diplomatic efforts for climate justice by keeping in priority the climate policy. Nepal’s easy access to climate finance is always a major agenda.”

Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Ramhari Pokharel, said a climate-friendly approach was adopted in construction of infrastructures. Process for approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) would be made faster and more effective.(RSS)