Gyawali calls for enhanced cooperation to tackle climate change

Published On: July 3, 2019 06:00 AM NPT

KATHMANDU, July 3: Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Gyawali has called for an enhanced level of international cooperation in tackling the adverse impacts of climate change.

Stating that although the contribution of Nepal's carbon emissions to global climate change is negligible, Gyawali said Nepal is disproportionately suffering from the effects of climate change. “Therefore climate justice must be promoted and that access to technology must be made easy and affordable," he said.

Addressing a session on "Climate Change: The Next Financial Crisis?” organized during the 13th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian of China on Tuesday, Minister Gyawali also highlighted the important contributions of Nepal's mountains, rivers and forests in maintaining the ecological system.

Foreign Minister Gyawali also attended the opening plenary, which featured addresses by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, and Professor Klaus Schwab, the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum.

In the afternoon, Minister Gyawali participated, as a panelist, in the session on 'Geopolitical Shifts'. While referring to rising geopolitical complexities and uncertainties, he underscored the need for promoting greater mutual trust and understanding among nations, as well as deeper levels of co-operation and collaborative efforts, for ensuring sustainable world peace.

According to a press statement issued by the Nepali Embassy in Beijing, Gyawali stated that as problems confronting the world are increasingly broader and deeper both in their scope and magnitude, a rules-based international order not 'deals-based relations' was crucial in sustaining and nurturing global peace, harmony and co-operation.

On the margins of the annual meeting, Gyawali also held a meeting with WEF President Borge Brende. “Ways to enhance further cooperation between Nepal and World Economic Forum, especially in the areas of research and capacity building, were discussed at the meeting,” said the press statement.

Minister Gyawali was accompanied by Nepali envoy to China Leela Mani Paudyal and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in all his engagements.