Reflections on Nepal’s Presence at COP29 and the International Court of Justice

On December 26, 2024, the Ministry of Forests and Environment, in partnership with the Youth Alliance for Environment (YAE), Practical Action Nepal, WWF Nepal, and Save the Children under the Climate Ambition Support Alliance (CASA) Program, organized an important workshop titled “Reflections on Nepal’s Presence at COP29 and the International Court of Justice” at Hotel Marriott, Naxal. The event was graced by the esteemed presence of Rt. Hon. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli as the Chief Guest, and chaired by Honorable Minister Ain Bahadur Shahi. Several other distinguished guests attended, including ministers from key sectors, provincial environmental leaders, members of parliament, the Vice-Chair of the National Planning Commission, the UN Resident Coordinator, constitutional commission representatives, and senior government officials from various levels. This workshop provided a vital platform to review and assess Nepal’s active and impactful participation in COP29 held in Baku, Azerbaijan, where Nepal was engaged in over 50 sessions and 324 meetings. The discussions underscored Nepal’s strong advocacy on critical issues such as the mountain agenda, climate finance, and loss and damage mechanisms, while reinforcing the country’s commitment to climate action through the “mountain-to-sea” approach and strategic bilateral engagements promoting resilience, transparency, and inclusivity.

The event also focused on strategizing Nepal’s future climate priorities by emphasizing the urgent need for establishing a dedicated and permanent negotiation team to ensure consistent and effective representation at international climate forums. Participants highlighted the importance of developing inclusive standards and procedures that enable meaningful engagement of national delegates, technical experts, and relevant stakeholders from all levels. Capacity building for these actors was identified as a critical element to strengthen Nepal’s negotiating power and leadership, particularly on the Mountain Agenda, by fostering enhanced collaboration with other mountain nations. Furthermore, the workshop emphasized the establishment of efficient in-country mechanisms for climate finance project implementation and fund mobilization to support Nepal’s ambitious climate goals. This collective reflection and forward-looking dialogue aimed to prepare Nepal for upcoming challenges and opportunities in global climate governance, while fostering inclusive, transparent, and effective climate action that leaves no one behind.