KATHMANDU, Feb 18: The 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) president-designate Alok Sharma, who is currently visiting Nepal, held a meeting with President Bidya Devi Bhandari at the latter's office on Thursday afternoon. 

During the meeting, Sharma briefed President Bhandari on the priorities of the COP26 and welcomed Nepal’s constructive participation, given the country’s longstanding contribution to climate action, according to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

On her part, President Bhandari appreciated the British initiative to hold COP26 and stated that Nepal attaches high importance to the climate change agenda and to the role women and youth can play for mitigation and adaption at the grass-root level. She was of the view that collaborations at the international level would contribute to addressing the adverse impacts, particularly in climate vulnerable countries like Nepal. 

Earlier today, the visiting COP26 delegation met with Minister for Foreign Affairs, Pradeep Kumar Gyawali at the latter’s office and discussed matters of mutual interest. The COP26 President, while updating Gyawali on the ongoing preparation for the conference, counted on Nepal’s continued partnership in the run-up to the conference and its substantive participation in thematic deliberations. 

Assuring the British side of Nepal’s participation reflecting the country’s strong commitment to climate change agenda, Minister Gyawali underscored the need for garnering a higher level of political will for timely translation of commitments into action. Matters also figured during the meeting include renewable energy, mountain agenda, e-mobility, low carbon infrastructure and proposed Sagarmatha Sambaad.

The COP26 President also met Minister for Forest and Environment, Prem Bahadur Ale this afternoon. During the meeting, the two sides discussed issues of Nepal-UK cooperation in areas of environment protection, biodiversity and nature conservation. They also exchanged views on the ambitions shared by both sides during the Climate Ambition Summit held last December as well as on the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
Earlier on Wednesday, COP26 president-designate Sharma held a meeting with Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli at the latter's office.  Views on Nepal-UK relations, collaborations on climate action and cooperation in energy sector, among others, were exchanged during the meeting, according to the MoFA. 

On the occasion, Sharma briefed the prime minister on the priorities and plans in the lead up to the COP26 to be held in Glasgow in November 2021. On his part, Prime Minister Oli expressed satisfaction over the increasing level of engagements with the UK on the matters of common interest, both at bilateral and multilateral levels. He assured Nepal’s full support to the successful holding of the COP26. He conveyed his best wishes for all success of the conference.

 
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