President Paudel Hosts High-Level Session on Climate-Induced Loss in Mountain Regions

Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov 13: Nepal’s President Ramchandra Paudel, currently leading a high-level Nepali delegation at the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), hosted a crucial session today, spotlighting the severe impacts of climate change on mountainous regions.

The session, titled “Addressing Climate-Induced Loss and Damage in Mountainous Regions,” aimed to galvanize the global community’s attention on the unique vulnerabilities faced by mountainous nations like Nepal. President Paudel, in his address, emphasized the vital role of mountain protection in global climate stability. “The protection of mountains is, fundamentally, the protection of the earth,” Paudel stated, urging nations to recognize the cascading impact that mountain degradation has on broader ecosystems, including vulnerable coastal regions. “Turning white mountains into black mountains signifies a crisis not only for mountain nations but also for low-lying coastal countries,” he stressed.

President Paudel also met with Maldives President Mohamud Muizzu, emphasizing the need for increased bilateral cooperation on climate issues. Both leaders discussed shared climate-induced challenges and explored ways to collaborate effectively in climate negotiations, strengthening their voices on the global stage.

Nepal has taken an active role in COP29 under the leadership of President Paudel, participating in the World Leaders Climate Action Summit, where Paudel underscored Nepal’s commitment to global climate efforts. His participation in this year’s conference follows an invitation from Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev and reflects Nepal’s steadfast commitment to addressing climate change.

The COP29 summit has attracted leaders and climate experts from across the globe, including heads of state, vice-presidents from over 40 countries, and prime ministers from 35 nations, to foster dialogue and enhance cooperation in the fight against climate change.