United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, currently on a four-day visit to Nepal, announced his intention to personally explore the dire consequences of the climate crisis in the Himalayas.
Following his meeting with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Secretary-General Guterres addressed the media, highlighting his upcoming visit to the Himalayas.
He emphasized the need for developed countries to assist nations like Nepal in addressing the significant challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and climate change. Guterres stated, "On this journey, I will venture into the Himalayas to witness firsthand the severe impacts of the climate crisis."
Guterres expressed concern over Nepal's loss of one-third of its snow cover in the past three decades and the rapid melting of glaciers in the region. He voiced his intent to meet with local communities residing in the Himalayas to better understand the effects on their lives.
Secretary-General Guterres will convey a global message about the consequences of climate change during his visit to Syangboche in Solukhumbu and the Annapurna circuit on Monday.
Nepal, through Guterres, seeks to raise awareness of how climate change affects countries like Nepal, where the melting of Himalayan snow due to climate change is increasingly impacting the environment.
With the COP-28 event scheduled for the UAE in late November, Secretary-General Guterres aims to emphasize the urgency of addressing climate change by visiting key sites in Solukhumbu.
During the 'Climate Ambition Summit' at the UN headquarters, Prime Minister Dahal, representing both the least developed countries (LDC) and Nepal, pledged to achieve 'net-zero' carbon emissions by 2045. Nepal's commitment to the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C by reducing carbon emissions, was reaffirmed. Prime Minister Prachanda, also LDC's chairman, highlighted the minimal carbon emissions from LDC countries and proposed a comprehensive strategy to combat climate change.
