KATHMANDU: Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has said that long-term international support is needed for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of areas in Nepal affected by climate-related disasters.
Addressing the G-7 Development Ministerial Meeting held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Khanal highlighted Nepal’s recent climate-related disasters and called for G-7 support and cooperation in rehabilitation, climate finance, disaster preparedness, multilateral financial assistance, and the Himalayan region.
Speaking on behalf of Nepal at the meeting, he expressed gratitude on behalf of the Government of Nepal and the Nepali people to the G-7 member states and other friendly countries for their solidarity and support to Nepal during the difficult situation caused by climate-related disasters, according to his secretariat.
“Nepal highly appreciates the leadership that the G-7 has been providing in advancing international cooperation in the areas of climate change, sustainable development, resilience, and disaster risk reduction,” he said. He also thanked France, the G-7 chair, for organizing the meeting.
Stating that the human and material losses caused by the recent climate-related disasters in Nepal are immense, Minister Khanal said the floods had damaged houses, roads, bridges, schools, health institutions, and hydropower infrastructure, while also disrupting public life and essential services.
According to preliminary estimates, more than USD 5 billion is required for rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Noting that scientific studies of the disaster are ongoing, he said preliminary findings suggest that it resulted from a complex interaction between ice, rock, water, and unstable landforms in the rapidly warming Himalayan environment.
He said the government has formed an expert committee to study the geological, glacial, and hydrological causes of the disaster, including the role of climate change.
“Climate change is no longer a distant threat to Nepal. It is our current reality, and its impact is increasing in both intensity and frequency,” Minister Khanal said. “It is destroying lives and livelihoods, as well as undermining long-standing development achievements.”
He noted that mountains, rivers, communities, and critical infrastructure are increasingly vulnerable to floods, landslides, glacial hazards, and other climate-related disasters.
Stating that Nepal’s contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions is very low, Khanal said the country is experiencing disproportionate impacts of climate change and therefore needs greater support from the international community.
“Nepal has contributed very little to global emissions. However, we are experiencing disproportionate climate-related impacts, from devastating floods and landslides to melting glaciers,” he said.
Presenting Nepal’s five key expectations for rehabilitation and reconstruction, Minister Khanal said that establishing partnerships for rehabilitation should be the first priority.
Expressing gratitude for the humanitarian assistance and goodwill received from friendly countries, he said coordinated international efforts, including grants and concessional financial resources, are necessary for long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Calling for improved access to climate finance as the second priority, Minister Khanal said adaptation and loss-and-damage financing should be made available quickly, simply, and easily to developing and climate-vulnerable countries.
