Kathmandu – Nepal has inaugurated its national pavilion at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, highlighting the growing climate threats facing the Himalayas and calling for stronger international cooperation.
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal, who is leading Nepal’s delegation to the conference, inaugurated the pavilion on Tuesday, November 10. The pavilion showcases Nepal’s climate ambitions, achievements in biodiversity conservation and community-based climate adaptation initiatives.
Speaking at the inauguration, Khanal drew international attention to the increasing vulnerability of Himalayan ecosystems. He warned that climate-related disasters involving glaciers and frozen mountain environments are becoming a serious threat to communities, infrastructure and livelihoods.
Referring to the recent devastating Bhote Koshi disaster, Khanal described it as a “Himalayan tsunami” to emphasise the destructive potential of climate-related hazards in mountainous regions.
He said countries such as Nepal, which contribute relatively little to global greenhouse gas emissions, are facing a disproportionate share of the consequences of climate change.
The foreign minister called for greater climate justice, easier access to financial support for loss and damage, and stronger global partnerships to build resilience in mountain communities while protecting downstream populations.
Khanal reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to international climate cooperation and stressed the need for practical measures to address the growing risks facing vulnerable countries.
Health and Food Safety Minister Nisha Mehta and House of Representatives member Sagar Dhakal were among the officials who addressed the pavilion’s opening ceremony.
Khanal also attended the opening plenary session of COP31. Türkiye’s Minister of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change, Murat Kurum, is serving as conference president, while Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, is leading the negotiations.
On the sidelines of the conference, Khanal held bilateral talks with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos.
During the meeting, Khanal thanked the Ethiopian government and people for their sympathy and solidarity following Nepal’s recent devastating climate-related disasters.
He reiterated Nepal’s commitment to advancing global climate action based on equity, shared environmental responsibility and multilateral cooperation, including through COP31 and Ethiopia’s forthcoming COP presidency.
The two ministers also discussed issues of mutual interest, including climate change, sustainable graduation from least-developed-country status, trade, air connectivity, tourism and people-to-people relations.
Both sides expressed their commitment to strengthening the friendly and cooperative relationship between Nepal and Ethiopia.
Nepal’s participation at COP31 reflects its continuing efforts to bring mountain-related climate challenges into international negotiations and secure greater financial and technical assistance for countries facing severe climate risks.
