Kathmandu: Nepal has opened its pavilion at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, showcasing the country’s climate ambitions, biodiversity achievements and community-based adaptation initiatives while drawing international attention to the growing vulnerability of mountain ecosystems.
Hon. Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal inaugurated the pavilion on Monday, November 9, highlighting the disproportionate climate risks faced by vulnerable mountain countries like Nepal, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a social media post.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Khanal drew attention to escalating hazards in the cryosphere and cited the recent climate-induced Bhotekoshi disaster, described as the “Himalayan Tsunami”, as an example of the devastating consequences of climate change.
He reiterated Nepal’s call for climate justice, accessible loss and damage funding and stronger international partnerships to build resilience across the Himalayas and protect downstream regions from the cascading impacts of climate change.
The Nepal Pavilion is intended to showcase the country’s climate priorities, biodiversity conservation efforts and adaptation initiatives at the global climate conference.
Hon. Minister of Health and Food Safety Neesha Mehta, House of Representatives member Sagar Dhakal and other representatives also addressed the inaugural ceremony.
