Nepal intensifies diplomatic push for mountain agenda at COP31

Nepal is intensifying diplomatic efforts at the 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, to include mountain-specific climate issues in the conference’s final decision. Geeta Chaudhary, the Minister for Agriculture, Forest, and Environment, who is leading the Nepali delegation, has initiated discussions with the conference president and key negotiating groups to prioritize the mountain agenda in international climate talks.Minister Chaudhary stated that an agreement has been reached to advance discussions on ‘Mountains and Climate Change’ by integrating proposals from Nepal, Bhutan, and Kyrgyzstan. This will involve a series of dialogues on mountain issues at upcoming sessions of subsidiary bodies under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.Nepal is advocating for the results of these dialogues to be incorporated into the cover decision of future COP conferences. The country has also proposed a separate framework for mountain regions, mountain-specific indicators, and ensured easy access for mountain countries to climate adaptation and finance.Nepal is also emphasizing the interconnectedness of melting glaciers, affected river systems, and rising sea levels, seeking to establish this relationship in international climate discussions based on the ‘Sagarmatha to Sea’ concept. Minister Chaudhary highlighted Nepal’s advocacy for institutional recognition of the mountain agenda, increased funding for the Loss and Damage Fund, and easier access for affected countries.Since the final decision of COP31 requires consensus from all parties, Nepal is prioritizing coordination with the conference president and major negotiating groups to include its proposals. COP31, which is being held in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20, 2026, is chaired by Murat Kurum of Türkiye, with Chris Bowen of Australia serving as the negotiations chair.Earlier, on November 11, 2026, the COP31 agenda was approved, allowing formal negotiations to proceed, despite a joint proposal by Nepal, Bhutan, and Kyrgyzstan titled “1.5 Degrees Celsius Temperature Increase in Mountains” being removed from the formal list. Murat Kurum noted that countries could still raise adaptation funding concerns under existing agenda items.On November 12, 2026, Nepal, Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, and Tajikistan jointly hosted a high-level event on glacier and mountain resilience. Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, who had led the Nepali delegation, returned home on November 14, 2026, with Minister Chaudhary now leading the remaining talks and meetings.