Press Release on Nepal’s Participation in COP31 (Day 4)

Press Release on Nepal’s Participation in COP31

Day 4

As part of the continued engagements in the COP31, Hon. Foreign Minister Mr. Shisir Khanal addressed the High-Level Event co-hosted by Nepal, Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan and Tajikistan under the theme of “Advancing the Mountain Agenda: Glaciers, Cryosphere and Resilience under Overshoot, Shared Responsibility and Sustainable Financing” today. In his statement, the Foreign Minister recalled the devastating impacts of the 26 August "Himalayan Tsunami" in Nepal and urged that the COP31 must be a turning point for mountain resilience to move from the margins of negotiations to the center of global climate action.

“When mountains are in crisis, humanity is in crisis,” said the Foreign Minister, adding “Our glaciers and towering peaks took millennia to form, yet many are vanishing within a single human lifetime”.

Further, he called for ambitious mitigation through deep emission cuts aligned with 1.5°C goal; predictable, accessible, and grant-based climate finance—not debt—for adaptation and resilient infrastructure and sustainable livelihoods; and effective Loss & Damage arrangements with swift, direct, and equitable resources for frontline mountain communities. He also emphasized the urgency of robust science and multi-hazard early warning system with high-altitude glacier monitoring, satellite observation networks, and regional data sharing; political recognition of mountain-specific risks including under UNFCCC process; and stronger "Sagarmatha to the Sea" partnership linking mountain and ocean communities, alongside support for the proposed UN Decade for Mountain Resilience.

In the afternoon, Hon. Foreign Minister Mr. Khanal held a bilateral meeting with UN Secretary-General H.E. Mr António Guterres. During the meeting, Hon. Foreign Minister expressed deep appreciation to the Secretary-General for his message of sympathy and solidarity in the aftermath of the recent climate-triggered Bhotekoshi floods and commended his steadfast leadership of the United Nations and a stronger commitment to advancing multilateralism, global peace, human dignity and sustainable development.

UN Secretary-General Mr. Guterres acknowledged Nepal’s valuable contribution to global peace and stability as a leading Troop and Police-contributing country to UN peacekeeping missions. Both the dignitaries also exchanged substantive views on matters of regional and global significance including Nepal’s recovery and reconstruction efforts, indispensability of global governance reforms, multi-hazard early warning system, scaled-up climate finance and climate action.

Earlier, the Foreign Minister joined the LDC Ministerial delegation in meeting with UN Secretary-General and highlighted the intensifying climate risks facing the Himalayas; the urgency of keeping 1.5°C within reach and minimizing the overshoot; scaled-up support for loss and damage; and the need to allocate a dedicated space for mountains on climate discussion, including mountain work programme under UNFCCC.

Later in the evening, Hon. Foreign Minister Mr. Shisir Khanal held an interaction with Mr. Binod Paudel, President of NRNA (NCC), Turkey and other office-bearers in Antalya. While receiving a Memorandum from the NRNA President at the event, he reaffirmed the Government’s commitment and priority to address the pressing issues and problems of Nepali diasporas living and working in Turkey and abroad; cater more effective, customer-friendly and innovative, digital consular service delivery; tackle timely grievance-handling; and ensure safe, productive and dignified employment opportunities while protecting the interests and rights, particularly of women migrant workers.

On the occasion, the Foreign Minister also thanked the Nepali missions in Islamabad, Cairo, and NRNA (NCC), Turkey team for providing necessary coordination and facilitation to the Nepali delegation under his leadership during their participation in the COP31.

The Foreign Minister will address the Event on “Access to Climate Finance Needs for SIDS and LDCs” and the Press Meet scheduled for tomorrow.

The Foreign Minister Mr. Shisir Khanal, accompanied by his entourage, will depart from Antalya tomorrow evening and will reach Kathmandu via Istanbul in the morning of 14 November 2026.

Accordingly, Hon. Mrs. Gita Chaudhary, Minister of Agriculture, Forests and Environment, will lead the members of the Nepali delegation and engage in the rest of the COP31 meetings and negotiations.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Singhadurbar, Kathmandu

12 November 2026