Press Release on Nepal’s Participation in COP31 (Day 2)

Press Release on Nepal’s Participation in COP31

Day 2

As the COP31 continues, Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Shisir Khanal, on behalf of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), addressed the Baku High-Level Dialogue on Adaptation today.

In his statement, the Foreign Minister drew attention to the disproportionate climate burdens borne by the most vulnerable countries and highlighted the severe human and economic toll of recent climate-induced disasters in Nepal.

He emphasized that while LDCs continue to advance decentralized, people-centred adaptation through National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), their domestic efforts must be matched by adequate international climate finance and support tailored to their evolving national needs and circumstances.

The Foreign Minister further underscored the LDCs’ call for translating commitments to scale up adaptation finance into clear, credible delivery pathways with simplified access arrangements; accelerating adaptation action at national and global levels in line with the UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience and the Belém Adaptation Indicators; and advancing locally led adaptation by strengthening local institutions and empowering frontline communities to shape their adaptation priorities and investments.

“For LDCs, adaptation is not just a technical or an environmental response. It is also a matter of climate justice, as our countries are those who contribute the least to climate change, but we are the most affected by its increasing and worsening impacts,” he stated.

Later in the evening, Hon. Foreign Minister Mr. Khanal interacted separately with national and international media outlets.

In an interview with CNN, the Foreign Minister highlighted a range of issues, including the devastating impacts of recent climate disasters in Nepal; ongoing recovery efforts and needs; international financial and humanitarian assistance; provisional allocation of financing from the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage; the imperative of keeping the 1.5°C goal alive; impacts of rising temperatures on mountain ecosystems; and implementation of Nepal’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP).

Meanwhile, Hon. Mrs. Gita Chaudhary, Minister of Agriculture, Forests and Environment, arrived in Antalya to participate in relevant COP31 meetings.

The Nepali delegation continued its active engagement in various thematic negotiations and discussions throughout the day.

The Foreign Minister will continue his official engagements tomorrow, advancing Nepal’s climate and mountain agenda and advocating for meaningful COP31 outcomes through genuine multilateral cooperation and global solidarity.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Singhadurbar, Kathmandu

10 November 2026