‘We do not need sympathy; climate finance is our right’

The 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) is scheduled to take place in Türkiye from November 9 to 20, bringing renewed attention to the growing climate crisis and its disproportionate impact on vulnerable countries such as Nepal. Coming just two and a half months after the devastating August 26 floods in Rasuwa , the conference is particularly significant for Nepal.

The country plans to push for greater recognition of the impacts of climate change on mountain ecosystems, stronger commitments to limiting global temperature rise, climate justice and increased grant-based climate finance. Nepal is also preparing a proposal seeking $20 million from the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage to address the consequences of the Rasuwa–Bhotekoshi floods, particularly the destruction of agricultural land and losses suffered by farming communities.

Our preparations have reached the final stage. We are not going alone as a government delegation; we are taking all relevant stakeholders with us.