PM Oli and UN Secretary General Guterres Discuss Climate Action and Emissions Reduction

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and United Nations Secretary General António Guterres emphasized the urgent need to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions during a meeting at the UN headquarters ahead of the Summit of the Future and the 79th UN General Assembly.

Secretary General Guterres expressed his commitment to advocating for compensation to countries like Nepal, which face severe impacts from climate change, including the melting of its mountains. He stressed the importance of providing sufficient climate finance to mountainous countries while pushing for global efforts to reduce emissions.

Reflecting on his visit to Nepal last year, Guterres highlighted the necessity of reforms in the global order to curb carbon emissions, which disproportionately affect developing nations, especially least developed countries like Nepal. He also lauded Nepal’s contribution to UN peacekeeping missions and assured support for improved access to financial assistance for developing countries.

In response, Prime Minister Oli thanked the Secretary General for his visit to Nepal and urged him to champion climate justice for the country. He requested that Nepal be considered for leadership roles in UN peacekeeping forces in recognition of its dedication to global peace and security. Oli also invited Guterres to participate in the upcoming Sagarmatha Dialogue, which will focus on the Himalayan ecosystem and related challenges.

The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Dr. Arju Rana Deuba, Foreign Secretary Sewa Lamsal, and other senior Nepali officials. Earlier in the day, UN Under Secretary General Rabab Fatima met with Prime Minister Oli to discuss enhancing Nepal-UN cooperation, particularly in advancing the interests of least developed countries.