Foreign Minister Khanal urges climate justice in Fiji, then heads to Australia

Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal said Nepal and the small island states of the Pacific, despite their geographical distance, stand at the forefront of the climate crisis.

Addressing a high-level 'Leaders' Plenary' session held in Fiji on Tuesday as part of the Pre-COP Leaders' Event, he said the Himalayas and the oceans are connected. According to his secretariat, mountainous Nepal and small island nations are facing similar challenges from climate change.

Khanal pointed out that the impacts of climate change are not limited to the Himalayas. He argued that melting Himalayan glaciers raise sea levels and that the risk of more powerful cyclones in the Pacific region is intensifying.

Meanwhile, Khanal is set to travel to Australia on a four-day official visit at the invitation of the Australian government. According to Tara Gautam, Nepal's acting ambassador to Australia, he will arrive in Melbourne on Wednesday afternoon and hold talks with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong the same day.

On Friday, he is scheduled to meet New South Wales Premier Chris Minns in Sydney. In Canberra, he will hold discussions with leaders of the opposition Liberal Party.