President Paudel returning home today after attending COP29

KATHMANDU: President Ramchandra Paudel, who reached in Baku on Monday, Nov 11, for the COP29 climate conference, departed today for Doha, Qatar, en route back to Nepal. Azerbaijan’s Health Minister, Teymur Musayev, saw him off at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport.

President Paudel attended the conference upon invitation from his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev, leading a high-level delegation that included First Lady Sabita Paudel, senior advisors, climate experts, and government officials.

In a keynote address during Tuesday’s “World Leaders Climate Action Summit” session at COP29, President Paudel highlighted the global importance of mountain preservation, stating, “The protection of the mountains is the protection of Earth.” He warned that as Nepal’s snow-capped peaks turn into bare rocks, the world must recognize that this challenge impacts not only mountainous regions but also coastal areas. He urged for integrated climate adaptation strategies that bridge both mountain and coastal ecosystems.

During a bilateral meeting with Maldivian President Mohamud Muizzu on Tuesday, President Paudel emphasized that both nations face severe climate threats, advocating for strengthened collaboration in climate negotiations. He proposed joint efforts to secure financial and technical support for vulnerable countries like Nepal and the Maldives.

On Wednesday, Nepal hosted a special session titled “Addressing Loss and Damage in Mountains,” where President Paudel addressed the audience. He later spoke at a high-level session organized by Kyrgyzstan, underscoring the need for a unified, inclusive approach to ensure climate justice for impacted communities.

President Paudel also joined a meeting convened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres for leaders of underdeveloped nations attending COP29. Here, he called on developed nations to recognize their role in the climate crisis and advocated for grants, rather than loans, to support climate resilience in countries like Nepal. He stressed that as Nepal and other vulnerable nations experience mounting impacts, the effects will eventually reach developed countries as well.

President Paudel had initially departed from Kathmandu on Nov 10, and now, following the conference, continues his journey home via Doha.