Nepal on Sunday urged the global community to strengthen climate cooperation and ensure justice for vulnerable countries during the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil. The Nepali delegation, led by Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister Dr Madan Prasad Pariyar, called on developed nations to finally deliver the climate finance they have promised for years.
Speaking at the ministerial session, Nepal highlighted how climate change is hitting the country harder each year. Rapid glacier melt, shifting monsoon patterns, severe droughts, unusual floods, and growing pressure on agriculture were presented as urgent challenges that require stronger global attention. Nepal repeated its long-standing request for the UN climate process to formally include mountain issues, noting that Himalayan ecosystems face unique and accelerating risks.
Nepal highlighted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution, detailing its plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045. Despite minimal contribution to global emissions, Nepal maintains over 46% forest cover and continues investing in clean energy, electric vehicles, and electric cooking.
On the sidelines, Minister Pariyar took part in several bilateral and group meetings. He joined an event hosted by the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, where Nepal discussed plans to expand clean energy use. He also attended the Least Developed Countries ministerial meeting, expressing support for Timor-Leste as it takes over the LDC chairship.
Nepal met with the Executive Director of the Loss and Damage Fund to discuss potential financing for national climate projects. The delegation also prepared to host a side event titled From Sagarmatha to Belém, aimed at promoting mountain concerns inside the UN climate framework.
Nepal warns of rapidly worsening climate disasters, with over 300 deaths this year from floods, landslides, droughts, glacial lake bursts, and wildfires, highlighting the urgent need for global action.