KATHMANDU – Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal has called for strengthening state institutions and enhancing Nepal’s diplomatic role to better address climate-induced disasters.
Speaking at a meeting of the International Relations and Tourism Committee of the House of Representatives on Thursday, Khanal said the recent Bhotekoshi floods had prompted the government to rethink its approach to climate-related disasters.
“Reduction of the impact of climate change is the government’s top priority,” he said, describing the Bhotekoshi floods as a “Himalayan tsunami.”
He said the disaster had raised serious questions about Nepal’s pursuit of prosperity and the expansion of development infrastructure. River corridors, human settlements and hydropower projects are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, he noted, stressing the need to move beyond traditional approaches to disaster management.
“The development gains of the last 25 years have been dented, making us reconsider the narrative of prosperity,” Khanal said. He stressed the need for a “whole-of-government” approach rather than treating disasters as the responsibility of a single ministry or as isolated events.
Khanal also underscored the importance of scientific facts, data and evidence-based advocacy to establish Nepal’s climate agenda and strengthen its position in international forums. He said Nepal should focus on building a broader global agenda rather than seeking only immediate agreements at forums such as the UN General Assembly.
“Once a global campaign is built for Nepal, it helps create an atmosphere in Nepal’s favour,” he said.
The Foreign Minister acknowledged that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not yet directly and institutionally integrated into Nepal’s participation in major climate forums such as the UN Climate Change Conference (COP).
“Though we talk of climate diplomacy, the role of the Foreign Ministry in the state apparatus in terms of climate change is not well established,” he said, adding that the government is working on an institutional framework and long-term policy for climate diplomacy.
Khanal also informed the committee that the government plans to formally appeal to friendly countries and the international community for support for post-disaster recovery after completing the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA).
He said the upcoming UN General Assembly would provide an opportunity for Nepal to hold bilateral and multilateral meetings on pressing issues, including climate change.
The lawmakers’ views and suggestions on the recent climate disaster will be presented to Prime Minister Balendra Shah, as the government has accorded high priority to the issue. (RSS)