Nepal is preparing to strongly advocate for the protection of the Himalayas, along with key agendas such as climate finance, carbon trade, climate adaptation, mitigation, and climate-induced loss and damage, at the upcoming COP-30 UN Climate Change Conference, scheduled for November 10–21, 2025, in Belém, Brazil.
According to the Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE), discussions with stakeholders have already begun to finalize Nepal’s agenda. The country will primarily advance the commitments outlined in the Sagarmatha Dialogue held in May 2025.
Minister for Forests and Environment Aain Bahadur Shahi stated that MoFE is formulating an official work plan to clearly represent Nepal’s stance at the summit. Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, Nepal remains among the most climate-vulnerable nations, with the Himalayan region facing glacier melt, landslides, and droughts, while the Terai/Madhes region suffers from frequent floods. The hardest hit are poor farmers, marginalized groups, women, children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.
The Sagarmatha Dialogue concluded with a 25-point “Sagarmatha Call to Action,” urging the global community to cap temperature rise at 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and emphasizing green, resilient, and inclusive development. It also stressed the importance of clean energy, equitable access, and circular economies.
MoFE Joint Secretary Maheshwor Dhakal highlighted preparations that include:
- High-level participation in the National Environment and Climate Change Council meetings.
- Preparatory meetings for COP-30 and UN climate platforms.
- Formation and training of a new negotiating group, with assigned roles and a code of conduct.
- Establishment of a virtual monitoring and coordination mechanism for COP-30.
Nepal has previously engaged at the head-of-state or head-of-government level in five COP summits:
- COP-15 (Copenhagen, 2009) – PM Madhav Nepal
- COP-24 (Poland, 2018) – President Bidya Devi Bhandari
- COP-27 (Scotland, 2021) – PM Sher Bahadur Deuba
- COP-28 (Dubai, 2023) – PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal
- COP-29 (Baku, 2024) – President Ram Chandra Poudel
At COP-30, Nepal aims to amplify the Himalayan agenda, pressing for greater climate justice and financing mechanisms for vulnerable nations.
