EGYPT, Nov 10: Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Uma Regmi, has said that the fragile topography and high population of South Asian countries have posed them to high risk of climate change impacts. Minister Regmi put forth such views at a meeting of the environment ministers from South Asia under the ongoing COP-27 in Sharm El Sheikh city of Egypt on Wednesday.

The agenda in the meeting reflects the value of collective efforts to counter the climate crisis, she said, adding, "Global warming has affected more to the Himalayan region as compared to others. There are extreme weather events such as landslides, floods, inundation and change in rain patterns, resulting in huge loss to physical infrastructures and damages of millions of rupees of crops."

She further reminded that the climate change had impacted more on the women, senior citizens, poor, marginalized and local communities. They are facing difficulty in adaptation for lack of capacity and resources. The climate change has further jeopardized the achievements Nepal has made in poverty alleviation, primary health and inclusive development. The climate change-induced loss and damage has caused loss of some 2.0 percent GDP, according to her.

The loss and damage caused by climate change impacts  are expected to reach 11 percent. So, the COP27 should ensure an increase in the adaptation finance for the least developed and land locked hilly countries, she underscored. For this, Nepal has already presented the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) implementation plan, long term climate finance strategy and work plan.

"We need assistance for capacity building, adaptation, and green, resilient and inclusive development," Minister Regmi said.

Secretary at the Ministry of Forest and Environment, Dr Pem Narayan Kandel, said COP-27 is the effective platform for working on climate change.

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