Nepali delegation off to New York to take part in UN Climate Action Summit

Kathmandu–Minister for Forest and Environment Shakti Bahadur Basnet left here last night for the United States of America, leading a Nepali delegation to the United Nations Climate Action Summit.

The Summit is kicking off on September 23 (Monday) at the UN Headquarters, New York. The Minister is scheduled to address two sessions during the Summit, according to his press coordinator Dayanidhi Bhatta.

He will address the sessions entitled- 'A Call for Action: Raising Ambition for Climate Adaptation and Resilience'; and 'Community Resilience Partnership Programme'. Similarly, the delegation will participate in the UN special session about the sustainable development goals to be held on coming Tuesday.

Before leaving for New York, the Minister talking to media persons said Nepal would use the UN forum to appeal to the international community to come up with sustainable and effective programmes for climate change adaptation.

The world nears a grave crisis due to consequences of climate change and solution to it is not possible only from regular efforts, but it needs combined efforts at the global level and this issue will be raised during the Summit on behalf of Nepal, according to the Minister.

Nepal this time plans to appeal for arrangements of resources for enhancing adaptation capacity of countries like Nepal which have the least contribution to climate change or the greenhouse effect, but bear the brunt of its consequences. Besides, Nepal is to draw the world's attention snow melting at alarming rate due to climate change impact it and its global effect.

The Summit is taking place as preparations for the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change scheduled to be held in Chile in coming November.