It has made the lives of mountain peoples and their livelihoods highly vulnerable. The alarming projections from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) serve as a stark reminder of the urgency of our collective action. Up to 84% of indigenous mountain species are at risk of extinction, and the impacts on human populations are equally concerning.

Adaptation and resilience-building efforts are of utmost importance, particularly for mountain communities, disproportionately affected by climate change impacts such as glacial melting, water scarcity, and different natural disasters. We recognize the essence of nature-based solutions in climate mitigation and adaptation. Protecting and restoring ecosystems, including forests and wetlands, must be integral to our climate strategies. In line with these priorities, Nepal is committed to showcasing its own initiatives and successes in sustainable mountain development, renewable energy deployment, and climate resilience building. Herewith, I bring forth a message of urgency and collaboration and call upon the global community for increased support to developing countries in technology transfer, capacity building, and financial assistance, to facilitate their transition to low-carbon and climate-resilient pathways.

Recent visit to Nepal by the UN Secretary-General helped mainstream the mountain agenda on climate change discussions. The IPCC has identified fragile mountain ecosystems as most vulnerable to climate change due to rapid temperature rises that affect population and ecosystem services. Upcoming COP 29 presents a crucial opportunity for nations to come together and reaffirm their commitment to ambitious climate action. 

I have strongly highlighted the repercussions of climate change in mountainous regions and least-developed countries in all national and global forums including the 78th UNGA and the Climate Ambition Summit. In my previous deliverables of COP28, I have strongly demanded the necessity of initiating a dialogue on Mountains and Climate change to realize the grief of the mountainous communities, find possible solutions, and bring them out of environmental injustice. As a result of this conscious and systematic effort, COP28 outcomes recognized mountain ecosystem as critical importance for integrated response and agreed to hold an expert dialogue on mountains and climate change at the 60th sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) which is scheduled to take place in June 2024. 

We must build upon the momentum of past COPs and translate commitments into tangible actions. Nepal is ready to play its part in this global endeavor. 

In this vein, the Government of Nepal has organized The International Expert Dialogue on Mountains, People, and Climate. Through this dialogue, we aim to develop concrete strategies and roadmaps to address the challenges faced by mountain communities by fostering collaboration for adaptation and clean energy transition. 

I would like to invite fellow nations to collaborate, share knowledge, and forge partnerships for making meaningful strides in addressing the climate crisis and securing a better world for future generations.

Let’s collaborate for better wellbeing of people and planet!

Thank You.