No excuse delaying measures against climate crisis: Chief Secretary Aryal

KATHMANDU: Government’s Chief Secretary Eknaryan Aryal has said international cooperation against climate change could be further strengthened through a collective partnership.

During his address to a concluding session of the three-day “Sagarmatha Sambaad” themed Climate Change, Mountains and the Future of Humanity, here today, the Chief Secretary said he was confident that the Sagarmatha Sambaad played a role in strengthening a wider cooperation to minimise climate crisis.

The encouraging presence of senior personalities from neighbouring and friendly countries, representatives from regional and international organisations, and of various stakeholder concerned contributed to making the multi-stakeholder dialogue a success, he said.

“The Sagarmatha Sambaad remained memorable, providing an opportunity to amplify our voices for rapid and effective actions for mitigating adverse impacts of climate change.

“We have no excuse to make any delays in taking measures for addressing the climate crisis. Dialogue and collaboration may inspire us for implementing collective actions,” he said, adding that the Sagarmatha Sambaad is expected to bring out issues relating to water, biological diversity, food and health crisis and disasters along the mountain region and the status of glaciers, promoting us to enhance the coping mechanism. Specially, it has highlighted that the citizens of mountain regions and the indigenous communities are affected by the climate crisis disproportionately.

Stating that snow melting in the Himalayas remains as one of the significant impacts of climate crisis, he said such impacts have been extended to the hills, Terai and the coastal areas. He voiced for prompt climate crisis response measures based on scientific evidences.

“Through this dialogue, we laid an emphasis on the promotion of climate science, improved access to technology, the promotion of innovation, and the exchange of knowledge and best practices for minimisation of impacts. We also highlighted the need to ensure simple and just access to climate finance and to provide greater support to vulnerable countries and communities,” he added.

According to the Chief Secretary, Nepal utilised the forum to clearly voice the need to strengthen climate resilience, investment, and innovative financial mechanisms, underling the need of prioritizing efforts to advance clean energy transition, promote green energy, and ensure sustainable development.

The Chief Secretary further added that that energy transition not only promotes nature-based solutions but also supports investment in robust early warning systems for mountain risk reduction and mitigation.

“We once again call for the establishment of a dedicated fund for mountain nations and the building of a global platform specifically focused on climate change and mountain issues,” he said.

“Standing on the global stage, we have voiced a collective call to action for a just, resilient, and sustainable future—from the Himalayas to the seas, from the hills to the islands,” the Chief Secretary added.