Featured Blog, Features, Members, News, Our Voice, Statements

COP26 CVF Leaders’ Dialogue Statement by Pem Narayan Kandel, Hon. Secretary of the Ministry of Forests and Environment of Nepal (delivering statement on behalf of the Prime Minister)

Climate Vulnerable Forum Leaders Dialogue COP26

4:15 – 6:15 pm 2 November 2021 – UNFCCC COP26, Glasgow, Scotland

Intervention of Pem Narayan Kandel

Hon. Secretary of the Ministry of Forests and Environment of Nepal (delivering statement on behalf of the Prime Minister)

In representation of H.E. Sher Bahadur Deuba, Hon. Prime Minister of Nepal, the Secretary of the Ministry of Forest and Environment of Nepal,

Honorable Madam Chair, Ms. Sheikh Hasina. Excellences, ladies and gentlemen, 

I am the Secretary of the Ministry of Forest and Environment of Nepal, and my Prime Minister asked me to deliver an important message at this forum. As we know this dialogue is focused on making COP26 leaders to urgently recognize the climate emergency being confronted by all climate vulnerable countries. We believe that COP26 will be a milestone to deliver on the 2030 ambition gap and keeping the 1.5 degrees’ Celsius goal within reach. This is absolutely essential to mitigate the impact of climate change and increase the adaptation capacity of the high vulnerable countries. It is also important to note that the Himalayan mountains are a great water resource, they have the highest depositary ice, snow, and the freshwater that provides water security to close to 1.6 billion people in the south Asian region. But global warming is threatening the very existence of this vital water, which is a biocultural heritage of the world. Increasing emission of greenhouse gases and other climate pollution such as black carbon, have contributed to the melting of Permafrost and the decline in snowfall. This worrying trend is having a serious impact of water supply agriculture, forest, biodiversity, health in urban cities, tourism, and infrastructure. 

Nepal is focusing on sustainability utilizing our natural resources to promote green economy development. Nepal has demonstrated successful example of community manners, forest, local water management, nature-based tourism and micro hydro power plant that are helpful to reduce climate induced vulnerability. Nepal also appealed that climate policies in the Himalayas should be recognized by the world community. There is no mountain that has been important for Nepal’s priorities, focusing on adaptation and disaster reduction. 

In conclusion, allow me to congratulate Ghana for taking the role of the next Presidency of the CVF.

I thank you all. Thank you. Thank you very much. 

Related News