STATEMENT TO BE DELIVERED BY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE PRIME MINISTER MR. K.P SHARMA OLI
AT THE CLIMATE VULNERABLE FORUM LEADERS MEETING DURING THE 79TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
(SEPTEMBER 25 )
Excellencies,
Distinguished Leaders,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Thank you, Mr. Chair, for convening this important meeting.
I wish to begin by extending my warm congratulations to His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana for his for his able leadership of the forum to advance the cause of vulnerable nations.
I also take this opportunity to welcome the Republic of Barbados as the new Chair.
Excellencies,
Climate change is the defining crisis of our time.
In Nepal, being a mountainous and least developed country, it is already a cause of various disasters.
Our vast reserve of snow in the Himalayas, critical lifelines for millions of people, are receding at an alarming scale and speed.
We are facing increased climate-induced disasters in greater scale and intensity.
Over the past months, these disasters have claimed more than 200 lives, devastating communities and economies.
We ranked 10th among the countries most affected by climate related extreme weather events between 2000 and 2018[1].
This is a profound injustice, considering that our GHG emissions are insignificant, our 46% forest cover contributes to carbon sinking, and we have the Himalayas working as natural refrigerators.
We call on the major emitters to take responsibility to ensure climate justice, and provide financial resources, transfer technology and help developing countries in adaptation and resilience building.
Access to rapid, predictable, concessional and adequate finance are critical, especially for countries in special situations.
We need a fair financing mechanisms with easy access.
The global warming must be limited to 1.5˚ Centigrade, as pledged in the Paris Agreement, because that represents the threshold of survival.
At stake is nothing less than the survival of people and the planet!
Excellencies,
Nepal is committed to the Paris Agreement.
We aim to maintain global temperature rise within 1.5 degrees Celsius and achieve net-zero emissions by 2045, five years ahead of global target.
We are implementing economy-wide strategies for decarbonizing our economy, and our conservation areas cover 23% of our total land.
With a view to bringing together global voices to discuss climate impacts and solutions, we are organizing the ‘Sagarmatha Sambad’/Everest Dialogue in 2025.
Excellencies,
Climate finance must be additional to development finance. And it must must be concessional, as it is a gross injustice for developing countries to incur loans for climate action, while the climate change is largely a result of burning of fossil fuel by the industrialized nations during their economic development.
IFIs and MDBs should scale up their climate assistance and concessional finance according to the vulnerable countries.
We support the implementation of climate-resilient debt clauses, debt-for-climate swaps, and innovative financing mechanisms.
These are not just financial tools, they are lifelines for our communities.
Loss and damage must also be addressed with urgency.
Excellencies,
Nepal is committed to climate resilient development pathways, while urging others to do the same.
We fully support the CVF Leaders Declaration that calls for reforms that amplify the voices of climate-vulnerable nations.
We must generate collective efforts and advocacy to shape our vulnerabilities into opportunities.
Let us join hands to secure a sustainable and just future for people and the planet.
Thank you.