Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said he would put forth Nepal’s views and stand on climate change impact straightforwardly at the upcoming UN climate event, COP28.

It is the 28th Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Addressing a program organized by Nepal Mountaineering Association to hand over peace torch at base camp of Sagarmatha today, PM Dahal underscored that it is time to claim rights rather than supplication.

“Nepal does not pay price for anything it is not involved in, so those causing carbon emission must be more responsible and compensated through the climate fund,” PM Dahal stressed, adding that in the global climate event, Nepal claims rights not mere pleas for help.

A high level delegation led by PM Dahal is scheduled to attend the global event on climate change being held in the UAE from November 30 to December 12. He is addressing the high level session at Cop 28 on December 2. Significant issues as climate finance, adaptation, transfer of mountaineering technology and capacity building, loss and damage, climate empowerment would be raised in the address, according to him.

Climate finance, management of loss and damage fund, mountaineering issues, emission reduction and inclusion are accorded top priority by the Nepal government this time.

On the occasion, the PM said that a necessary work procedure would be formulated for the development and expansion of the Khumbu region and security of Sagarmatha area.

The PM also recalled that the recent visit of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to the Khumb region was a reminder to the world.

“Secretary-General Guterres reached the Khumbu area and inspected the impacts of climate change as well as interacted with the people and their representatives, which is a significant contribution to globalize the problems of climate change facing this area,”he mentioned.

He also recalled his address at the 76th UNGA in New York which centered on the impacts of climate change in Nepal. Dahal added the government was serious about the construction of tourism infrastructures in Khumbu area, stating that it would carry out possible initiatives to protect and promote Sagarmatha and Lumbini.

According to him, the government will pay special attention to accelerate construction of road from Chatara to Lukla.

Extending gratitude towards local governments for opening a track in the Khumbu region, PM Dahal mentioned that the government would support in upgrading the road. The Prime Minister said that the role of Khumbu area to boost Nepal’s prestige among the international community was incomparable.

“It is the responsibility of all to take initiatives to make the economic activities more dynamic by developing systematic tourism that protects Sagarmatha and Lumbini.”