Nepal has relentlessly continued its official efforts at the international level to get climate reparation, relief package and donations after the devastating Bhotekoshi floods that caused irreparable loss of life and property in the country. Following the catastrophic disaster, Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Speaker of the House Representatives Dol Prasad (DP) Aryal, Minister of Finance Dr. Swarnim Wagle and Foreign Affairs Minister Shisir Khanal visited different countries and international platforms to advocate for the climate compensation for the country.
Prime Minister Shah participated in the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month and highlighted the fundamental aspects of climate justice for the country. PM Shah drew attention of the world to simplify and facilitate resource mobilisation from climate finance mechanism and translate climate justice into practice. His address proved a significant step to turn climate justice into reality for climate-vulnerable countries like Nepal.
Likewise, Speaker Aryal presented Nepal’s emergency proposal on climate-induced disasters at the 153rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly in Arusha, Tanzania. The good news is that the emergency agenda titled ‘Immediate Parliamentary Steps for Climate-Induced Disaster Response and Resilience Building in Himalayan and Other Vulnerable Areas’ has been selected with a two-thirds majority at the IPU General Assembly. Nepal’s proposal became successful in being included in the emergency agenda after receiving the highest number of votes. Aryal stated that the increasing risks to the Himalayas, glaciers, and snow lakes due to climate change pose a challenge to the entire human civilization. He emphasised the need to make parliamentary climate diplomacy more effective in facing climate-induced disasters.
Similarly, Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle visited the United States a few days ago to seek support for Nepal’s reconstruction and economic reforms in the aftermath of the Bhotekoshi disaster. During his visit, Minister Wagle separately held bilateral meetings with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and World Bank Group President Ajay Banga. At those occasions, Dr. Wagle stressed on Nepal’s genuine demand for financial support as per the climate justice, besides focusing on strengthening Nepal’s economic partnership and cooperation with the US and the World Bank. Earlier, during his three-day India visit, Minister Wagle thanked the government for the instant assistance following the Bhotekoshi disaster and urged it for further support to carry out reconstruction and rehabilitation at the flood-hit areas.
Foreign Minister Khanal’s efforts for climate justice at the international level are also praiseworthy. Addressing the Pre-COP Leaders’ Plenary in Fiji, Khanal emphasised the need for cooperation between countries stretching from the mountains to the sea. Presenting Nepal’s priorities for COP31, Khanal reiterated the country’s stance for grant-based climate adaptation finance without adding to countries’ debt burdens, effective mobilisation of the Loss and Damage Fund, and stronger partnerships under the theme of “Sagarmatha to the Sea”.
During his Australia visit, Minister Khanal requested his counterpart to highlight the climate change issue at international platforms in favour of Nepal. Foreign Minister Penny Wong conveyed her deep condolences and sympathies to the families and communities affected by the recent devastating floods in Nepal. On the occasion, Minister Wong announced an additional AUD 15 million in Australian assistance dedicated to relief and early recovery efforts, supplementing the AUD 11 million previously committed for emergency response operations.
Nepal’s concerted diplomatic efforts reflect its growing determination to translate the principle of climate justice into tangible support for disaster-hit communities. However, diplomatic commitments must go beyond statements and pledges to deliver timely financial assistance, effective rehabilitation and long-term resilience.
The Rising Nepal is Nepal’s first English broadsheet daily published by the Gorkhapatra Corporation, an undertaking of the Government of Nepal. The risingnepaldaily.com is Online edition of the daily newspaper.
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