Press Release on Nepal’s Participation in COP31

Press Release on Nepal’s Participation in COP31

Day 1

Leading a Nepali delegation, Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs      Mr. Shisir Khanal addressed the Opening Plenary of the Thirty-First Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) being held in Antalya, Türkiye on 9-20 November 2026.

In his address, Hon. Foreign Minister Mr. Khanal spotlighted unprecedented impacts of the recent climate-triggered disasters on lives, livelihoods and ecological systems, and underscored the critical urgency of allocating a dedicated work programme on “Mountain and Climate Change” under the COP31 process. He also reiterated the importance of strengthening global solidarity and effective multilateral cooperation to keep 1.5⁰ C goal alive; integrate mountain-specific indicators into the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) and New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) frameworks; safeguard the fragile mountain ecosystems; address the cascading climate change impacts from the Sagarmatha to the Sea; and support Nepal to build back better, faster and more equitably.   

Earlier today, the Foreign Minister inaugurated the Nepal Pavilion at the COP31 premises, reflecting Nepal’s climate ambition and showcasing biodiversity achievements and grassroots adaptation initiatives. In his brief remarks, he highlighted the vulnerabilities of fragile mountain ecosystems, drawing global attention to escalating cryosphere hazards and the recent catastrophic climate-induced Bhotekoshi disaster to underscore the disproportionate climate risks borne by frontline nations like Nepal. He also reiterated Nepal’s call for climate justice, accessible loss and damage funding, and concerted global partnerships to build resilience across the Himalayas and safeguard downstream regions. Hon. Minister of Health and Food Safety Ms Neesha Mehta, Hon. Member of the House of Representatives of the Federal Parliament Mr Sagar Dhakal, and other distinguished representatives also addressed the inaugural ceremony.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Minister Mr Khanal addressed the High-Level Side Event co-hosted by Nepal, Bhutan, and Kyrgyzstan, alongside ICIMOD and Zoï Environment Network, on the theme of “Strengthening Mountain Resilience through Adaptation Finance”. In his opening remarks, he highlighted the economic, physical and human costs of the Himalayan Tsunami that recently struck Nepal and emphasized the imperative of deepening regional, global solidarity and cooperation to strengthen mountain resilience in combating escalating climate impacts. Stressing that nearly one-third of humanity relies directly on mountain ecosystems, he further underscored the pressing need to embed mountain resilience agenda across UNFCCC process; scaling up predictable, accessible climate finance; and called for keeping 1.5°C goal within reach.

Additionally, Hon. Foreign Minister Mr Shisir Khanal held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr Gedion Timothewos, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. During the meeting, Foreign Minister Mr Khanal expressed deep appreciation to the Government and people of Ethiopia for sympathy and solidarity during these difficult times in the aftermath of the recent devastating climate-induced disasters and affirmed Nepal’s commitment to advancing global climate action anchored in equity, shared environmental responsibility and multilateral partnerships at COP31 and under Ethiopia’s next COP Presidency. The two dignitaries also exchanged views on a range of issues of mutual interest including strengthening cordial and cooperative bilateral ties in areas of climate change, sustainable LDC graduation, trade, air connectivity, tourism and people-to-people contacts, among others.

The Foreign Minister will continue to engage in various meetings of the COP31 and hold bilateral meetings tomorrow.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Singhdurbar, Kathmandu               

9 November 2026