Foreign Minister Khanal urges COP31 to turn climate solidarity into concrete action

ANTALYA: The Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has urged world leaders to translate expressions of sympathy and solidarity with climate-vulnerable countries into concrete commitments, calling for a dedicated work program on mountains and climate change under the COP31 process.

Addressing the opening plenary of the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference in Antalya, Türkiye, on Monday, Khanal highlighted the devastating impacts of recent climate-related disasters on human lives, livelihoods and ecosystems, particularly in mountain regions.

“After the disaster we received an outpouring of sympathy. This is the time to put sympathy into the system. Promises into action,” he said.

Referring to the August 26 Bhote Koshi disaster, which he described as a “Himalayan tsunami,” Khanal said more than 1,400 people had lost their lives, over 5,000 remained missing and critical infrastructure had been destroyed within minutes. He estimated that rebuilding would cost around one-tenth of Nepal’s entire economy.