Nepal's national position paper for COP-31 climate summit nears completion

The national position paper for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change's COP-31 conference is in its final stage for Nepal. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment says it plans to make the position paper public next week.

The conference will be held in Antalya, Turkey, from November 9-20, that is, Kartik 23 to Mangsir 4. Joint Secretary Dr Maheshwar Dhakal, chief of the ministry's Climate Management Division, said stakeholder suggestions on the draft were being collected even during the Dashain festival.

According to him, discussions are underway to strengthen diplomatic efforts for climate justice and easier access to climate finance. This time, Nepal is preparing to also prioritize risks in mountainous regions along with climate-induced loss and damage.

Joint Secretary Dhakal said the conference's first week will see technical negotiations, while the second week will bring ministerial-level discussions on climate finance and adaptation, among other topics. He said high-level political representation is needed to present Nepal's priorities effectively.