ANTALYA, Nov 12: Nepal has expressed its commitment to advancing the Least Developed Countries Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience (LIFE-AR), ensuring that resources reach local communities and supporting their priorities through locally led adaptation actions.
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Environment Geeta Chaudhary said Nepal considers LIFE-AR not merely a financing mechanism, but an opportunity to transform the way climate action is planned, financed and delivered.
She said this while addressing the official announcement of the LIFE-AR Facility on November 11 during the 31st Conference of the Parties to Climate Change (COP31) held here.
“Nepal is a beautiful mountainous country blessed with rich natural resources and unique ecosystems. However, Nepal is among the countries that contribute very little to global greenhouse gas emissions but face disproportionately severe consequences of climate change,” she stressed in her address.
Stating that Nepal experienced a devastating disaster in the Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi region on August 26, 2026, which was widely described as a “Mountain Tsunami,” she reminded the gathering that it caused enormous human, economic and non-economic losses.
According to her, preliminary estimates indicate that more than 1,457 people lost their lives, while 5,285 remain missing. Approximately 15,000 households, representing around 60,000 people, were directly affected.
Organizations rewarded for climate change adaptation efforts
According to the preliminary rapid assessment of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), approximately USD 4.78 billion is required for recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction—equivalent to nearly 10 percent of Nepal’s GDP.
“This disaster did not merely destroy infrastructure and livelihoods; it devastated entire settlements, displaced communities and destroyed cultural, social and natural assets. Some of these losses are irreversible and cannot simply be measured in monetary terms,” the Minister added.
She went on to say that this may not be the last such catastrophe Nepal faces.
“Climate-induced disasters are becoming increasingly frequent and severe, particularly in mountain regions as the global temperature keeps rising. We therefore urgently need climate finance, institutional and technical capacity, and advanced technologies, particularly for climate information services and early warning systems. As an LDC, Nepal continues to call for dedicated, timely, accessible, predictable, additional and grant-based climate finance to address adaptation needs and climate-induced loss and damage.”
Stressing that LIFE-AR plays an important role in translating climate commitments into meaningful action on the ground, she said, “It is a locally led approach, which places communities at the centre of climate planning and decision-making and is particularly relevant for countries like Nepal. Those who are most vulnerable to climate change must also be empowered to lead the solutions.”
The Minister said Nepal signed an MoU with LIFE-AR on May 8, 2026, under her leadership as Minister for Agriculture, Forests and Environment. “We are now making progress in the establishment phase.”
“As we transition to this new facility, and as Nepal begins to strengthen our delivery channels, we hope that more of the international community will also join to support this initiative and provide their support,” she said.
Apprising the forum of Nepal’s plans to strengthen local governments and local institutions, empower communities and ensure that climate finance delivers tangible benefits to the people most affected by climate change, the Minister said Nepal considers LIFE-AR not merely a financing mechanism, but an opportunity to transform the way climate action is planned, financed and delivered.
Expressing gratitude to the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) for its support as the secretariat and for bringing the initiative this far, she said Nepal fully endorses LIFE-AR’s ambitions in transitioning to a new facility and becoming truly LDC-run.
“Nepal hopes the facility can continue to really help make a difference for LDCs, on our own terms,” she said.
Stating that Nepal will host the 15th LIFE-AR Board Meeting in Kathmandu next year, she, on behalf of the Government and people of Nepal, welcomed the LDC Chair, all Board members and relevant stakeholders to Nepal.
“We look forward to productive discussions and further strengthening our collective partnership.”
She also invited representatives of all participating nations to visit the Nepal Pavilion at COP31. She said that throughout the conference, Nepal will organize thematic events showcasing its mountains, climate vulnerabilities, disaster experiences, climate actions and the livelihoods of mountain communities.
Concluding her remarks, she reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to working with the LDC Group and LIFE-AR partners to ensure that climate action reaches the last mile and that vulnerable communities are not left behind.
“Together, let us turn climate commitments into locally led action and build resilient communities for a climate-resilient future,” the Minister concluded.
RSS
