Minister Khanal emphasizes Nepal's climate sensitivity on global stage during Australia visit

Kathmandu, Oct 10: Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has returned home after an official visit to Australia, where he participated in the high-level 'Pre-Cop Leaders Event' on climate change in Fiji and Tuvalu.     

During this visit, Australia pledged an additional 15 million Australian dollars in aid for the relief and recovery efforts following the recent floods in Nepal, bringing the total aid to 26 million Australian dollars.     

Talking to media upon his arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) today, Foreign Minister Khanal shared significance of this visit in promoting Nepal's climate sensitivity on the global stage, mobilizing equitable climate finance, and strengthening bilateral relations with Australia.     

Invited by the leaders of Australia, Fiji, and Tuvalu, Minister Khanal aimed to build political consensus and advance the global climate agenda ahead of the 31st Conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP-31) scheduled for next November in Antalya, Turkey.     

In his address at the 'Pre-Cop Leaders Plenary' in Fiji, he highlighted the interconnected climate challenges faced by Himalayan and Pacific island nations, referring to the recent floods in Nepal as a 'Himali Tsunami' and underscoring the disproportionate impact of climate change on countries that contribute minimally to the crisis.     

Minister Khanal outlined four key priorities for COP-31, which include a commitment to limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, securing grant-based adaptation finance without increasing debt burdens, effectively deploying loss and damage funds, and fostering partnerships from 'Mt. Everest to the Sea.' His visit to Tuvalu allowed him to observe areas at risk of sea erosion and to draw parallels between the climate risks faced by the Himalayan region and those of Pacific island nations, thereby advocating for a unified stance on climate justice. Additionally, he noted that issues related to glacier and ice sheet erosion were incorporated into the 'Taku Pakasoa Manifesto' released during the 'Pre-Cop' event.