Nepal deserves rights not supplication at COP28: PM Dahal

Kathmandu, Nov 18: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said he would put forth Nepal’s views and stand on climate change impact straightforwardly in the upcoming UN climate event, COP28. It is the 28th Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Addressing a programme organized by Nepal Mountaineering Association to hand over peace torch at base camp of the Sagarmatha today, PM Dahal underscored that it is time to claim rights rather than supplication. “Nepal does not pay price for anything it has not involved, so those causing carbon emission must be more responsible and compensate through the climate fund,” PM Dahal stressed, adding that in the global climate event, Nepal claims rights not mere plea for help.

A high level delegation led by PM Dahal is scheduled to attend the global event on climate change being held in UAE from November 30 to December 12. He is addressing the high level session at Cop 28 on December 2. Significant issues as climate finance, adaptation, transfer of mountaineering technology and capacity building, loss and damage, climate empowerment would be raised in the address, according to him.

Climate finance, management of loss and damage fund, mountaineering issues, emission reduction and inclusion are accorded top priority by the Nepal government this time. On the occasion, he informed that a necessary work procedure would be formulated for the development and expansion of Khumbu region and security of Sagarmatha area.

The PM also recalled that the recent visit of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres at Khumbu region was a reminder to the world. “Secretary-General Guterres reached Khumbu area and inspected the impacts of climate change as well as interacted with the people and people’s representatives, which is a significant contribution to globalize the problems of climate change facing this area”, he mentioned.

He also reminded his address at the 76th UNGA in New York which centered impacts of climate change in Nepal. Dahal added the government was serious in construction of tourism infrastructures in Khumbu area, stating that it would carry out possible initiatives to protect and promote Sagarmatha and Lumbini. According to him, the government would pay special attention to accelerate construction of road from Chatara to Lukla.

Extending gratitude towards local levels for opening track at Khumbu region, PM Dahal mentioned that the government would support in upgrading the road. The Prime Minister viewed that the role of Khumbu area to boost Nepal’s prestige among international community was incomparable. “It is the responsibility of all to take initiative to make the economic activities more dynamic by developing systematic tourism that protects Sagarmatha and Lumbini.”