KATHMANDU, Dec 5: President Ram Chandra Paudel emphasized that nations affected by climate change, including Nepal, should stand to benefit significantly from financial and technical assistance aimed at mitigating its impact.
Speaking at the 40th anniversary ceremony of ICIMOD, he underscored that the repercussions of climate change, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss extend beyond national borders, affecting the entire global community.
Paudel noted the current global crisis arising from human-induced climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution. He highlighted the heightened impact of climate change in mountainous regions like the Hindu Kush Himalayas, attributing it to the sensitive terrain and socio-economic vulnerabilities.
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Despite Nepal's negligible contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, President Paudel pointed out the disproportionate impact of climate change on the country. He recalled urging global attention to this issue during the visit of the United Nations Secretary-General, stressing the urgency of addressing climate change impacts on nations with minimal carbon emissions.
Addressing the challenges posed by climate change, Paudel stated, "Minimizing the effects of climate change to improve the lives of people in this region is a significant challenge. Events such as the melting snow, glacier bursts, mountain landslides, and floods in the south due to climate change inflict severe damage on the economy, environmental systems, and humanity."
President Paudel highlighted Nepal's commitment to collaborating with neighboring countries and international partners on climate change, environmental protection, disaster risk reduction, biodiversity conservation, and livelihood issues. He reiterated Nepal's ongoing support for the institutional development of ICIMOD and sustainable development in the entire Hindu Kush mountain region.
Paudel emphasized the global importance of the Hindu Kush mountain range, citing its crucial role in providing food, energy, water, and maintaining cultural and biological diversity. He expressed Nepal's dedication to protecting this region, given that a quarter of the world's population depends on its environmental services.
The President suggested that ICIMOD should actively engage with the nearly two billion people in its influence area and coastal countries, encouraging collaboration to enhance environmental services from the Hindu Kush Himalayan region.
